Notionally 'a buy for the future' when included as 'make-weight' in a joint £250,000 transfer deal with the more experienced Ali Mauchlen, attacking midfielder Gary very soon displayed a refreshing and remarkably mature regard for the value of accurate passing to feet, and rapidly gained confidence to express a pleasingly ambitious range of skills on the ball as he adapted to regular First Division football. Indeed, by his second City season he was justifiably attracting the attention of Scottish international boss Andy Roxburgh - but with mixed results when it came to being honoured.

Gary scored the equaliser on his debut for Scotland 'B' against France in April 1987, but also picked up the injury which kept his much-needed talent out of City's vital last three games prior to their eventual relegation. Given by Bryan Hamilton the rather backhanded tribute of being expected to function effectively in a variety of midfield and forward roles, Gary found his form suffering for a while, but he perked up under David Pleat's guidance and his elegant playmaking abilities were soon drawing envious glances from several clubs of higher status.

A distinctly erratic successor to Steve Lynex as City's regular penalty taker, he nonetheless boosted his goal tally to respectable levels with a number of blindingly executed strikes from rather less favourable positions. The only ever-present player in 1988/89, Gary remained the nub of constant transfer speculation throughout the following term. A level-headed young man, he was unimpressed by manager Brian Clough's brusque and rude comments to him at a City Ground interview and memorably turned down a mooted £1.15 million move to Nottingham Forest and saw out his contract with City. But after three full caps had boosted him into Scotland's 1990 World Cup squad, Gary finally silenced the rumour machine by signing for Leeds, at a fee later set by tribunal at £1 million.

BACK TO FAMOUS PLAYERS