Dateline 9 May 1998, Celtic champions after a decade in the wilderness

First??

I would like to thank my family, my friends, my teachers, my work colleagues, my several goldfish (all named after members of the A-team) who have gone to the big goldfish bowl in the sky. My first ever first post would not have been possible without you.

Craiginho

Vewy Pwoud, Vewy Pwoud.

If there are to be celebrations in 2008, I don't think they'll quite match those of 1998 - but they will come close.

Cheerio

2 TEN IN A ROW

what a song

I can remember singing it at the Barralands at a Wolfetones gig

WORLD CLASS PAUL SHUN

Yes, oh what a day,.... all that and the sun was shining on us, too!

Craiginho

As a fellow member of the Inho brigade

i thought I'd allow you a 1st 1st

well done shun

CHEERIO, TO 10 IN A ROW

We should sing that again on sunday and V Dundee Utd

remember and do the 2 hands in the air thing at the same time
(remember he did it and said it wasnt 10 in a row he was doing, it was raise the roof, aye right)

19 goals is not bad for that new bhoy Larsson, especially after he looked so poor on his debut. Do you think he will hit 20 next season, Paul?

But seriously, that was a great day! And what a party afterwards.

Awe_Naw and I were talking earlier of 1975 when we were both 10 and the shock we felt when Celtic didn't win the league. This was the antithesis - after years in the darkness we finally saw the light! And how we celebrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crkY6ZlNpYc

In case anyone missed it from the last post.

Great post and great memories. Enough to make me post for the first time. The build up to that day was a very tough 9 years. I wear my hoops with more pride today because I wore them with such faith through those days.

Keep up he great work Paul!

I remember the day well. I had to work that day in a bookies as I had just started they wouldn't give me a holiday. To think after going to almost every game for the previous 10 years I missed the game we stopped the ten! Looking back I would have been better off stuffing the job and going to the game.

It was all huns in the shop that day as well. You used to get an announcement in the bookies for no more coupons to be taken as it was 3pm. Just after that the guy on the blower says 'There's been a goal already at Parkhead and it's gone to......Celtic' . Cue me almost getting lynched as I scream like a madman.

I cannot believe it has been ten years.

On the previous thread, my heart goes out to the wee girl and her family. Unfortunately I can't make it up or I would. My hopes and prayers are with them.

Sensible post now. Paul, I posted a long post about the 1998 game against St Johnstone ages ago and I was going to re-post today but I can't find it. I think it was the "1998 team our post Lisbon touch stone" thread but I can't seem to find it now. If you could help that would be great.

Great article on e-tims right now entitled "Why I love Celtic" which sums up the last 20 odd years excellently. We need more of this over the next few days. Threads like this and the e-tims article are what we should be concentrating on right now - positive thought about Celtic. Until full time on Sunday at least Caldwell is Beckenbauer, Aiden is Ronaldo and Skippy is Romario. And WGS is Marcello Lippi (very appropriate methinks ;-p).

Getbehindtheteam CSC

What a feeling that was.

I cant imagine what life would be like if they won 10 in a row.

I think I would have an Australian passport now. Id have jumped ship.

Thank you Wim Jansen.

The celebrations this year will be similar if we pull this off.

I BELIEVE

www.bhoy4life.com

Just thinking back at previous League wins and I make it you have to go back 22 years since we last really came from behind to take a title. I know 1998 went one way then the other but we were always in touching distance. To come back from what really was a 12 point deficit with 7 to play really would be some feat.

It was twenty years ago today,
Wim Jansen taught the team to play
They've been going in and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.
So may I introduce to you
The Bhoys you've known for all these years,
The Famous Glasgow Celtic Football Team.
We're The Famous Glasgow Celtic Football Team,
We hope you will enjoy the show,
We're The Famous Glasgow Celtic Football Team,
Sit back and watch the football flow.
The Famous Glasgow Celtic,The Famous Glasgow Celtic,
The Famous Glasgow Celtic Football Team.
It's wonderful to be here,
It's certainly a thrill.
You're such a lovely audience,
We'd like to take you home with us,
We'd love to take you home.
I don't really want to stop the show,
But I thought that you might like to know,
That Henrik's going to give a show,
And he wants you all to sing along.
So let me introduce to you
The one and only King of Kings
And The Famous Glasgow Celtic Football Team.

Sevilliant/The Beatles

Ah, 9th May 1998. I remember (most of) it like it was yesterday.

Early train from Edinburgh to the Big City. Beers in Babbity's. The brother up from England.

Henrik. Tommy Boyd charging down the wing. Jackie. Harald.

Ecstasy (no, not the substance......)

Final whistle - one and only time on the sainted turf. No-one tried to stop us - we were thousands.

Over-crowded car back into town (driven by the sober one, who travelled up from England every other week), scarves out the sunroof/windaes.

Pubs. Babbity's - with hundreds singin in the "garden" - being just one of them.

The Ashoka in Argyle Street - the waiters celebrating with us

The Smiddy, I think....

Last train to Edinburgh.

Off at Waverley, stoatin along platform singin "Cheerio to ten in a row".

Late night Celtic-minded pub.

Blissful oblivion.

Sunday morning(ish). Pulled on night before's jeans - hallowed turf in pocket. Framed in dining room.

Monday morning at hun-predominant work:

"I suppose you'd a good weekend then?"

"Seven pubs, one Indian restaurant, two cities. CHEERIO TO TEN IN A ROW......."

Looking forward to a similar day shortly.

And the framed grass that Henrik and Harald performed on still has pride of place on the wall.

Hail! Hail!

I recall listening to the game on a radio, lying on my bed with the lights off and blinds closed. Nerve jangling stuff, and when the final whistle sounded I unsuccessfully fought back the tears.

It's true, that night was a special one. Green and white everywhere. Flags hanging out windows, car horns sounding etc...

I remember being in a supermarket in East Kilbride purchasing a carry-out and it was like a Charlie and the boys gig. Folk singing and dancing up and down the aisles. I recall one Bhoy cleaning out the berievment section of the greeting cards stand, with the joyful intent of handing them over to all the huns in his work on Monday.

Is Morrison's East Kilbride open late on Thursday 22nd?
Might drop in about 9:55PM to visit the greeting cards section.

If you’ve not read the previous article please look in.

Gordon J, the Swedish boy is a one season wonder, who ever heard of a footballer with an Alice band?

Welcome Big Ro, great memories indeed.

Lennondinho, cheers.

Craiginho, I’ll look.

I had a friend who got a little bit unlucky with what he was up to and ended up getting 7 years in prison. At the time that he was given the news he had about 3 months to prepare himself. When I met him he asked me if I could take his girlfriend with me to see him whenever I visited him. Naturally I said yes. The prison is about 250 km´s away. On his first week in prison he took it bad and pleaded with his girlfriend to come up and see him. She pleaded with me to take her the next Saturday. That was the day that Celtic stopped 10 in a row.

On the way back to Frankfurt his girlfriend readily admitted to me that she had smuggled something into the prison for him. I was in a state of shock and decided that I was never going to do this again and that he had lied to me and now she was as well and so I stopped all contact with him and told him why.

So every time I think of Harald and Ghod on the score sheet it reminds me of my old friend and what is he up to now ? of how naive I have been in the past and how much I owe Glasgow Celtic

That night when I got home after a blistering hot day. Stuck in the car. Stuck in a high security prison. Depression and emotion and subjugation in the air. God it was tough and not the place for a timid wee sh**e bag like myself. I had no mobile phone in those days either.

When I got home and parked the car the wife had the Celtic scarves hanging out the windows and when I saw that it cracked me up. The wife ex now to this day thinks it was just for Celtic ... and you know what it was.

That night was the most drunk I have ever been in my life. The whole of Sachsenhausen wasn´t that far behind me.

If it happens again this year then its´going to be GROUNDHOG MAY. That´s a May that comes round every 10 years.

Hail Hail

The goal Larsson scored that day was one of my favourites as well, it was beautiful the way he cut across and curled it into the far post.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YUzWwUnApig

Craiginho, the post-Lisbon touchstone

One thing I do remember about that day is standing at a bus stop on Argyle Street waiting on a number 61 and a track-suited wee ned sidled up to me with his 2 nedettes and yells "1690 ya fe**** b****". Being so deliriously happy I tunred round and asked "Is that how much your tracksuit cost?" Cue much hilarity at the bus-stop.

I would agree with porridgeandbananas, if we do take the league this year it will be one of, if not the, biggest turn-around ever in the Scottish league. I just hope the crowd appreciate that on Sunday and yell themselves hoarse for 90 minutes. I'll be in the Jock Stein Upper, block 438 with several packets of Strepsils.

Mon the hoops!

Craiginho

What a day that was back in 98. My first truly great day at Celtic Park (I was 17 that day). At the end of the game I was one of the many thousands who made their way onto the pitch after the team had left the park. The singing and dancing on the trophy presentation stand in the centre of paradise, the centre of the world, was truly special and memorable.

More of the same Celtic.

Keep the Faith

Thanks Paul.

Here are my memories of the day we stopped 10 in a row......

I was a second year law student at Glasgow Uni and one of my Dad's mates was a pools agent in Stranraer. He couldn't get to many games so kindly offered me a loan of his season ticket for that season. I remember calling him to see if he wanted it back for the St Johnstone game but he even more kindly let me go.

The whole week before the game was a nightmare. I had arranged for my Dad and my brothers to come up to Glasgow the previous weekend to watch the Dunfermline game beam-back at Parkhead. It was all going according to plan when Falconbridge equalised and you could almost feel the air being knocked out of everyone in the lower North Stand. We consoled ourselves on the way out of the stadium by saying it was fate that we could win it at Parkhead but none of us meant it. We knew there would be a lot of final day nerves and anything could happen.

I turned up at the stadium on Saturday 9th May 1998 unbelievably early. I hardly slept all week and there was no point pacing around the flat when I could just head out to the ground. To this day I'm convinced that I was the first person to take their seat in the stadium that day. It was strangely quiet. Block 401, North Stand Lower. Pretty much inline with the touchline at the traditional Celtic end.

The stadium filled up quicker than normal that day. Most people were in their seats about 5/10 minutes before kick off. The YNWA was amazing and even with only 3/4 of the ground built up at that time it must have been extra loud. The wee temporary stand had gone as building work had started on the Jock Stein stand.

I had barely caught my breath when Henrik scored one of the best and definitely the most important goal I have ever witnessed at Parkhead. An unbelievable shot that would have beaten any keeper. The place went mental. I lost my specs down the back of my seat and my cap into the row in front (thankfully I got them both back).

Then George O'Boyle missed a great chance for St Johnstone and Jonny Gould had to back pedal to tip a bouncing header out of the top corner. My blood pressure must have been going through the roof. Half time came at just the right time for us and we had a chance to re-group.

I can't remember much about the second half apart from the 2nd goal. Wim Jansen must have worked some magic at half time as I can't remember us giving St Johnstone a single chance in the 2nd 45. Then Tommy Boyd knocked a sublime pass down the right hand touchline to McNamara and all the while Harald Brattbakk was on a jet propelled run through the centre. McNamara looked up and we all knew where the ball would end up. Brattbakk met it with conviction and I'm not sure if we waited until the ball hit the net before erupting with screams of joy.

If you could bottle that feeling and sell it you would be the world's richest man 10 times over. The guy I sat next to was at Glasgow Caley, I think he was doing Philosophy or Theology and I haven't heard from him since but we jumped about like school kids for about 10 minutes after the goal.

My hat fell into the row in front and some bloke picked it up and threw it into the air. I watched it drift down to the front row of the North stand without a care in the world and noticed the troubles and pain of the previous 9 years floating away with it. The face of every Celtic fan showed exactly what it meant to suffer the pain of defeat for a long time and to final put that all to rest in style.

I can't remember anything about the rest of the game and I don't think anyone in the stadium returned to their seat after the 2nd goal. Kenny Clark gave a free-kick wide right and before Tom Boyd could take it Clark picked up the ball and blew the final whistle. Cue bedlam all around the world. Every painful league defeat of the 90s was washed away by the sound of a pea rattling round a piece of metal, and it was so noisy in the stadium not a single person could hear it!

They unlocked the gates at the front of the stand to let everyone cross the pitch to get out and me and the guy next to me raced on to recreate Brattbak's goal with an imaginary ball. He was McNamara and I was Brattbakk, almost like we were recreating a childhood stolen by their nine in a row. We knelt to kiss the hallowed turf before exiting the stadium. We went back to his flat where his wife had a bottle of bubbly chilled and we toasted the first title in 10 years. I didn't have a season ticket the following year and that was sadly the last time I spoke to him.

I'm 30 this year and those are without a doubt the most important 2 goals I can remember as a Celtic fan. The Treble, Seville, Green and Whitewash, beating Barca, Man U & Milan were all amazing but you could argue that none of that would have happened if we had not stopped the dark side doing 10 in a row.

Craiginho

this is what we are up against

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=u0BP0_7Jcy8&feature=related

Awe_Naw_ (from earlier)

...yes, I will be cheering. And singing his name! It is my intention to be in work early that morning to ensure the Aussies know what the good guys are all about.

Hail Hail.

The Lassie Beattie,

I have some tenuous link to the Beatties through marriage (Cunningham/McCallion/Aitken)

All,

I believe you can register for the bone marrow register through your regular blood donations as well. Ask the next time you are making a donation and the nurses there will assist.

Now to go back to the top of the page and read some memories with a beer in hand and tear in my eye.

just got a text from a normally reliable source with the name, address and phone no of the person running the Big Jock Knew campaign, asking for the message to be passed on to all Celtic fans....what concerns me is this could just be a grudge against someone turned into a text campaign that could have serious consequences for someone

Paul,
perspective. Hopefully this wonderful vehicle that you have provided us with will prove to be the catalyst in ending the search for a match.

Katie's uncle Mark try and stay positive and give Katie our thoughts, prayers and best wishes, I will try and spread the word on this side of the pond. God Bless

gsu

As I posted on the previous thread, I had just left school that week - 6 years in secondary school knowing only Walter Smith putting Celtic to the sword wiped away with a Tom Boyd dink, a Jackie McNamara cross and a Harald Brattback thunderbolt!

I was on my lunchbreak from a part time job in the supermarket when the goal went it and immediately ran around a car park in Dalvait lifting up my wee cousin who was out playing! Safely tucked up in bed later that night when the Godfather came in to inform me that 'We've won the League!'

Ah yes...............what a perfect day.

Me and a mate had tickets for St Johnstone section at the front so had the hoops well covered when we went in. Saying to each other how careful we had to be not to let anyone know we were Celtic fans and that we would just clap politely if we scored.
3 minutes in and Henrik scores !
All hell breaks loose.......dancing around, cheering, hugging each other. Then look behind and 90% of the "St Johnstone fans" are doing the same. Next thing the stewards move us all out and into the empty section between opposing fans. Left about 100 real St J fans in "their" section.
Fingernails bitten to the quick until Harald scores and then the celebrations began. I have never felt so deliriously happy in 40 years of watching Celtic. It brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it now.
That's how important it was and how much it meant to every Celtic fan.
Pinching the title off the Huns this year will be fantastic but will never match the feelings in 1998.

lubo1977

Yeah it's best not to spread it. If something serious did happen to the personI'm sure we'll have little sympathy but it's still not right, plus it may just be someone who holds a grudge against him like you say. I'm not so sure how accurate it is though because I get the impression there isn't one singe person who is organising this campaign.

My god is it 10 years?

I was working in Estonia then and had to resort to the World Service on short wave to get the 2nd half - had to put the radio on top of the wardrobe in my hotel room to get any sort of reception! Talk about a rollercoster - the single came and went and evrytime it cam back it sounded as though St Johnstone were just about to score. When Harald scored the 2nd I became 'Mentalo the Human Pinball' - it was omly a wee rooom and I think I hit everything in my celebratory jig. At the end I phoned my dad and he held the phone to the TV so I could here what was going on at CP - my wife also taped everything. I had tears streaming down my face as I entered the hotel bar, it was murder being on my own with no one he had a clue what it meant to me. I went into town (Tartu, Southern Estonia) and found a bar, at teh bar I found an Irishman (Conner) who asked me how Celtic got on - that began the biggest bevvy session of my career! To top it all a local band came on and played Irish numbers all night - Conner and I gave the locals a blast of 'The Fields' - what a night, I made friends I still have to this day. Great memories. Celtic much more than football.

Hail hail

I had been season ticket holder all through the dark sides 9 in a row and still am.

But i don't like talking about that day...

A few weeks prior to THE game I took my nephew to Parkhead for one of his first games. HIs dads side of the family were Motherwell/Huns
so although i didn't force it on him he decided CELTIC were the team for him. At the game he asked if i would come to his 1st communion which was on last day of the season. Of course I said
telling him we would have wound up league long before that......
WHEN day came around everyone expected me to forget my promise but remembering how as a ten year old i had been let down by my favourite uncle(he was coming through from Edinburgh to take me to a Scotland vs England rugby game and presume PUB with mates was a
better option)I gave my season ticket away.... Things worked out in long run my nephew now 18 has lived in England since 1998 but has never changed his allegiance.

And if you are reading this you still owe me.

lubo1977,

Don't think it is the person that runs that site, it's been on other boards (the text you got) and folk are saying it's not the right name and addy, you can find the name and phone number you got by text of that site on that site.....

it's like someone wants this name to get the blame for it......the other info is to easy to get, so I wouldn't take it seriously.

For that season I had "9 Brattback" on the back of my hoops and I got slagged for it and still do to this day but it's a simple reply when anyone makes a remark:

He clinched the title to stop the 10 :-)

Lubo1977

The man who runs the website has his name and address and mobile numbers at the bottom of the site. You can check this to see if the information is the same as in your text.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7390537.stm
WGS Manager of the Month for April
Barry Robson player of the month

ONWARDS WITH GORDON STRACHAN!

Congrats to Gordon Strachan and Barry Robson for their Manager and Player of the Month awards for April.

Everyone has a story of that day /night. Well mine was just tears / beer / songs / happy happy days. I think it was the most drunk I've ever been - as we say over here "I couldn't mite my lip".

Last word went to the wife of course - don't they all? She woke me up Sunday with a mug of coffee. She looked at me suffering the DT's wan faced, tounge like blotting paper, breath like a badger's **** and said.
" Lets hope it nine years before you win it again!!"

regiblinker

lol. now thats funny.
the thought that even blinker didnt want blinker on
the back of his jersey that year.

and for those who arnt sure if the euphoria and bevvy sessions in the aftermath of may 9th 1998 at 5pm will not be recreated in the coming weeks...think again, cos im gonna blow the end off it when we become CHAMPIONS '07-'08. it might not match it in the stopping ten in a row but its the biggest GIRUY before/since and future they are ever going to be remembered with.
and they will live forever with the fear of....

BLACK THURSDAY

Craiginho @2.42pm

Top man, great story.

That was an awesome day, i'll never ever forget it. I even had a pint in the Rosevale in Partick that night which was very quiet for some reason.

Love St 86, Paradise 88 and Paradise 98 are all very memorable championship wins for me, here's hoping this year joins that list.

Was in the top tier behind the goal when Henrik scored, a great day.
My other memories of that wonderful day apart from the game was watching grown men cry, one especially was a guy called GERRY who sadly passed away a few years ago, always remember his face with tears running down it, yes I did join him, never thought I'd have tears again at a game then The King left....a story for another time.
The great supporters bus that I was on at that time was waiting at Biggar St, before the bus park was opened, waiting for a few of the guys, we were probably the last to leave. Next thing we see the 2 of them carrying something underneath a coat, what the hell was it??????
It was the table that we got presented the cup on, to this day don't know how they got it out, reliably informed it's a telephone table in his house now

Happy Days and soon to be happier

3 in A Row

PS WGS got Manager of the Month, Watty won't be pleased!!!
Uproar in the meedja I think

I think we all have very happy memories of that day. For me, I think the manufactured draw we had at Dunfermline the previous week made it special. I have been at league wins elsewhere but to win it at Celtic park on the last day was the best feeling ever.

I remember getting really drunk afterwards and being in a huddle around a roundabout in coatbridge - semed like a good idea at the time.

One of the greatest days to be a Celtic fan, i think only bettered by the centenary year cup final. 88, 98, its time for another great day this year.

My memories of that day are slightly different from others here.

Having been involved with my own sport from ages 17 to 45, pretty much on the basis of 2 nights per week training and playing Saturdays and Sundays, my Celtic viewing in the 80's and 90's was confined to pre-season and the occasional midweek fixture. I guess I had been to fewer than 10 matches that season.

So, I was very surprised and delighted when my big brother sourced me a ticket from a pal who had to miss that match. We were right in line with Henrik watching from the North Stand when he scored. I felt I was just like every one else that day and privileged to be there but, from Henrik's goal to Harald's equaliser, I found myself getting increasingly annoyed with my fellow fans. There was a real nervousness about that day which got under my skin. I felt there was never any danger and I felt St. Johnstone never came close to threatening, even the O'Boyle chance. Now, the others were probably right and it was me that was the deluded one because I had not been there when Faulconbridge burst our bubble or at the 2 recent losses to Rangers,so I did not fully share the Celtic experience that day. I was annoying people then by telling them "We've got this won".

Anyway, after the match celebrations, we managed to talk our way into the Mitre's lock-in for a few hours before remembering that food should be consumed. So, the nearby Curry shop, and then over to the South Side and various pubs. Could not get into Heraghty's at that time but got in before closing time and was part of the big huddle there. My memory is that there was more than one big Huddle as it reformed several times because somebody's pal had just heard about it, but for understandable reasons, my memory may not be accurate.

That game, as much as my rapidly deteriorating sporting abilities, persuaded me to get back to regular attendance and I had my season ticket for myself and 2 of my 3 boys for 2000/01 season.

I'm glad I was there and I retrospectively apologise to anyone I annoyed by my unconvincing optimism that day. I was right, though :-)

My own particular memories of that great day. I played football
for a ST Fp,s team in those days and it was our final game of the
season also and we needed to win by 2 clear goals and hope our
nearest rivals a proddy FP team get a draw or get beat. You've guessed
it we won 3-0 and our rivals drew 3-3 which we found out minutes after
our game. But still I was feeling very nervous about the score from
CP and couldn't celebrate until the real business was over.

I was the dedicated driver for my group of five(all Tims), so we all
decided that we would listen to the last 30 minutes of the game from
the safety of my car radio on route back to the local boozers where I
was to ditch the car for some refreshments. The atmosphere in that car
back home that day will live with me forever, as we already knew the score
with the huns and there was a real tension whilst waiting for that 2nd goal.

When that 2nd goal arrived it couldn't have been timed any better, as we
were approaching the Clyde tunnel from the Govan side going North, "BRATTBAK GOAL"
then nothing as we were driving through the tunnel, but the noise we
made in that tunnel told the whole world what had indeed happened and by the time we had made it through we weren't particularly bothered about the radio as we were so high with the fact that we had stopped the 10 in a row. and it was a further 5 minutes or so before someone had mentioned that we had indeed won the league ourselves that day. You can imagine what kind of night we all had after that and if my memory serves me right it didn't finish until the Sunday night with a couple of hours kip lying on a floor in between.

I had a very similar experience in 1985 when we grabbed the league from the Jam tarts, but this year will be up there with the best when we lift that
trophy for 3 in a row. My playing days are now well and truly over but to be honest they are not missed because my real passion in life is Celtic Football Club and always will be.

Hail Hail to 3 in a row . Bigjock67

remember 98 like yesterday, one of the best days of my life,mind you am looking forward to a week on thursday i've got a funny feeling it could be special too

I'd say there have been three defining moments of victory for me as a Celtic fan, now in my 28th year on God's green earth.

- The Scottish Cup Final 1995
- The League Championship 1998
- Boavista Semi-Final 2nd Leg 2003

However, of the three, none had the biggest impact than that of the 1998 Championship. Simply put, it was an emotional wringer but ultimately led to a moment of sheer unadulterated joy.

Perfect Day!

Well done to Barry and Gordon for the awards. It was good to hear that Scott Brown had asked to play in the reserve match I think that shows a good attitude and proffessionalism.

1998 was a special year in the clubs history,

2008 will also be a special year for us,

there are differing reason as to why these achievements are so special, but the end result is the same it is a major GIRUY to the minty moonbeams manky mob.

there is no doubt in my mind that we wil win our next two games

there is no doubt in my mind that r****** will drop more points in there next games.

Therefore

SAY-HELLO-TO-3-IN-A-ROW!!!

HAIL!!!HAIL!!!

9th of may 1998

My 9th birthday...
My first communion... and my 1st experience of Celtic winning the league!

a day never to be bettered???

GingerAvenger, Happy Birthday.

Lubo1977, I would desist.

Greensideup, hope so.

Jinkyredstar, long may you be, 'Mentalo the Human Pinball'.

Scott Brown is a top quality player. Hes just been a bit off form this season.

Hes only young but he has all the attributes needed to be a top class midfielder.

So WGS won Manager of the Month for April.

If the laptop loyal had got their way, Wattie would have been a shoo-in for that award for the month of June.

I was at Uni at Sunderland during the season we stopped the ten. I got up to most games on the Sunderland Celtic bus which is still running.

As normal we left about 8:00 ish and drove along the A69 stopping at Brampton to pick up Sammy and into the spar to get more refreshments. Once we got to Glasgow I would normally go to the pub and wait for my brother and my nepwhews bus but that day I went down to the gallowgate and had a few bottles of warm beer!

I don't remember much of the game, my big mate from uni (Greig) was sitting behind me and almost killed me when Henke scored, I was delirious with joy and I remember it being a scorching hot day. I can still see the header from George O'Boyle flashing over the bar when it seemed easier to score and I heaved a big sigh of relief. Greig had been banging on all day about his dream where Boyd passed the ball down the wing and Jackie squared it for the much maligned Harald to slam in the winning goal. Turns out the big man was spot on and all I remember from that goal going in, is celebrating and singing "cheerio ten in a row, oh Cheerio ten in a row"

The final whistle went and I happily admit I wept tears of joy, all of the frustations of previous years were wiped away in an instant, what a feeling! I didn't run on the pitch I just stood and savoured the moment with my friends and fellow supporters and I tried to take in the scene all around me, grown men hugging and crying and the delirium of the moment, suddenly all those years of pain were worth it.

On the way back to the bus we went into the usual offy to replenish our refreshments and back onto the bus. There was champagne, songs, and laughs and the bus fair bounced down the M74, down the A69, through ne****le and back into wearside. We danced into our local (the Ivy) and the rest of the night passed in a blur, I ended up at Manor Quay (where I worked) the student union nightclub and I remember dancing on the dance floor in a big huddle and you can guess the song......

"Cheerio ten in a row, oh cheerio, ten in a row, cheerio ten in a row"

Through my own fault and actions Greig and I haven't spoken since Uni and big man if you are reading this I apologise once again for what I did the night of the Kilmarnock game when we won 5-1 and Harald should have got nine, the last I heard you were back in Dublin and I hope all is well in your life.

Anyway that's my recollections, boy that was a roller coaster of a season, but we did it, we stopped the huns getting ten and it was sweet.

Wow........this thread has stirred some fantastic memories and it was such an incredible day.

My uncle at that time was an investor sitting in the posh seats.....and had gotten tickets for myself and brother in law to get us into the investors lounges, other family members used what seats we had between us to be there aswell cos lets face it everyone wanted to go!! Now the tickets for the posh seats had access to the bar in the stand before and after the game.....heaven!! Now that's why they call it paradise!!

We arrived at paradise @ 1pm and had a wee ale or two inside the gound and I had the chance to look down on the park from the entry\exit stairwell (can't recall the area number at the back of the lower tier)and the entire park was empty except for stewards dotted all around at each stairwell. Was a beautiful sight and made the whole experience so special!

I was moved on quickly enough within seconds of popping my head out the stairwell as the stadium wa still closed but soon after I came out(after a few ales of course) to take my seat and it was absolute bedlam......the noise was incredible! a sea of Hoops....

Well the game was an emotional rollercoaster.....we scored and I went pure mad mental...Hail Henrik!! just watched it on Youtube and still a tear in my eye.....

But in the second half as the tension grew and i was losing the plot a wee bit.... I spotted crowds of celtic fans jumping and celebrating across at the away end and decided to do the same as I thought something must have happened at tannadice, only for an old man and others sitting right next to me shouting "what's happened son, what's happened? All i could say was "I dunno! I dunno!..... I seen others celebrating so i decided to join is"..........I got pelters from all but the old boy was raging with me saying he'd just had a pacemaker fitted and I'd just wrecked it!! :-) So funny looking back at it now!!

Well the 2nd goal duly arrived and tears of joy......fantastic experience and one that will remain with me forever.

On the drive back to B'briggs we'd passed numerous Gers coaches heading back to Glasgow and it was horn blast mania.......HA !! What a day......GIRUY!! :-)

Ended up in a pub full of Celtic supporters belting out Gotta Roll With It (Oasis) and well it was a great night...so many funny stories and it was a day every celtic fan should cherish!

Hail Hail

Longest time lurker, first time poster but that day will live long in my memory and of those around me.

I had just lost my dad 2 months earlier so my emotions were still a bit raw to say the least. I had spent the previous Sunday in the Beechwood in Kings Park watching us drop points against Dunfermline and spent the entire week fighting off the encroaching Huns in the office with every passing day. By the time it came to Saturday morning it was time to take my mother to Asda for the weekly shop before a relaxing fry up before off to the game. Food - no chance, couldn't even look at. My nerves were so bad my mother told me to get out of the house at 11:45 am. That wouldn't have been a problem but we only lived in Castlemilk and I was taking the car. Anyway, arrived at Parkhead at 12:00 and couldn't believe how busy it was at that time. TV crews from around the world were interviewing fans in the car park and tension just kept building. 3:00 pm came, Henrik, O'Boyles miss, Harald, Kenny Clark picks it up - Let the party commence - Last thing I remember I was dancing with a lampshade on my head in JJ Booths in Shawlands - Oh what a night. I had been there in 1988 when we beat Dundee 3-0 but nothing has ever compared to this since prior or since. For me it started as the worst of years but ended as the best of years - I met my wife who has given me 2 handsome sons (6 & 4) who are only now starting to appreciate what Celtic is all about. We stopped 10 in a row and began to re-capture our rightful place in the pecking order. Onwards to 22nd May and hopefully just as sweet a night although I need to find another lampshade.

Im gonna enjoy reading these when I get home from work! Still cant believe I got to this game, one of the best days of my life so far

Paul67,

Regarding the previous article - Well done for putting it out there for us all to see. I will attend tomorrow even though I have an irrational fear of needles. I'm just a big girls blouse really. Stems from having cortosone injections in both shoudlers when in my early 20's. Doctor had to give me a cup o' tea before he'd let me leave as he thought I was going to faint!

Anyway, I've hardly had a jag since, excepting at the dentistry, but I'll gladly do it tomorrow.

Craiginho,

Your wonderful recollections from 10years ago were terrific to read.

Sometimes you have to go through hell to really appreciate the good times when they arrive. Everyone going to the match on Sunday. Lets make sure the feel good factor is sky high for the players coming out onto the pitch and hopefully with the tension lifted we'll see the bhoys play the way we know they can.

My memories of that day were this:

2 weeks before my boss said he couldn't give me two days off at the weekend so I had to choose the game I wanted to go to...Dunfermline away or St Johnstone at home. I thought "well we won't mess this up at Dunfermline" so decided to take that day off.

Well, I don't think I have to tell you the rest. I should have just walked from the job or at least pulled a sicky but instead stupidly worked the whole shift...as all my family and freinds celebrated. I even had a ticket for the St Johnstone game :(

PS My final uni exam was on the same day as Seville...which I also had a ticket for!

Kitalba, (previous thread 10.51am)

The purchase of Naka, Boruc and Hinkel show that bargains can be found if the scouting system is right. Most of the successful clubs around Europe from smaller leagues (and I’m mainly thinking Dutch here) have good grass roots arrangements in place and supplement the home grown players with one or two quality acquisitions.
I agree that last 8 in Europe is beyond the current incumbents, but I want to see the team improve, and this for me would be a significant yardstick. I put it to you that a team successful in Europe will be more attractive to a higher calibre of player than one merely successful domestically.
Chelsea have shown that you can buy all the great individuals you want, but if the egos clash, they’ll never be a team.

Again, I’m not claiming to have answers, but merely want what we all (except Edward U and Occam!!) want – a successful and improving Celtic.

Hail hail
G.

Georgiebhoy,

Damn! you beat me to it.

I was once again wanting to churn out about you greetin' like a big bairn at the final whistle in '98.

It's really all I can remember; the Argyll is a bit of a blur. Although I have faint flashes of singing the one song over and over again. I'm sure it had something to do with stopping them doing something; if only I could remember!!!!!

Now, it's bad enough having to haul myself out of bed on a Saturday morning to take the kids over the road to swimming lessons. Now I'm going to have to let someone jab me in the arm for some slightly pickled 'O' neg.

Lardo66, thought I'd mention the above before you had a go, ya pie.

AND it isn't that sore you said (the bone marrow bit) So what you're really saying is that all the hobbling about groaning, asking the wife to give you a wipe "'cause it's sore to reach round" was all an act????? WHY YOU..........

Found time for one more post before I lurk from home.

That day was one hell off a squeky bum for 72 mins. Though the last 15 against the rankers a week past came close and I imagine there will be a few more squeky bum minutes come Sunday.

What an experience. It was amazing, outstanding, superb, out of this world.

Personally I think this 3-in-a-row would be on par with 1998 due to the nature and antics of Dignity FC this season.

Anyway STAND UP AND SUPPORT THE CHAMPIONS on Sunday.

Larrson scored only 19 league goals that season. He was pash :-)

If only we had another in the same mould.

Hail Hail

3-in-a-row-it's-gonny-be-a-show.

Isn't it refreshing to see a fringe player show some integrity for a change?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3541407,00.html

"I've had no game time in the last few months and that was a clear indication that I would have to move on.

"Even if Celtic offered me a contract, which they won't do, I don't think it would be right for me as I want to keep playing.

"I have a great relationship with Gordon and I speak with him all the time. I respect him a great deal and can honestly say the club have treated me exceptionally well."

Paul67.

Thanks for the help.as you can see I'm back on.

9th May 1998

Who fears to speak of '98?

Well, not now, but I couldn't speak with nerves the entire week leading up to that game.

Going back to around 1965, when my Dad and Uncles started taking me to the games, I have never experienced the nerves I felt between the Dunfermline game ending, and the final whistle blowing v St Johnstone on that famous day.

I don't think any game ever will. It certainly puts this year's league in context. If Black Sunday was bad, God knows what adjective we would've used to describe that Saturday if we had lost.

Not even the lead up and the final agonising minutes (until Murdo scored) of the famous 4-2 game in 1979, where I stood with my brother, cousins, Dad and Uncles at the back of the old Celtic End compared with the anxiety I felt in '98.

Me and my own wee bhoy (at that time aged 9) gave up our usual half-way line seats in the Upper North Stand to family and we re-located behind the goal in the Lisbon Lions stand.

My son was so nervous in the 2nd half that he continually went up and down to the toilets. I was quite happy to take him . I just couldn't take it. On one of the trips downstairs, we heard a roar from the crowd.

Strangely, it didn't sound like a goal, more like a close shot. Then we saw the stewards in the concourse running together and hugging one another and we looked at the TV monitor on the wall and saw Henrik congratulating Harald. God bless Harald and his size 5 feet. Forget all his misses, forget the CL goals against us, forget that he looked too much like an accountant to be a goalscorer - that goal was one of the most significant Celtic goals ever.

Ever.

Outside Lisbon, I can't think of many more important goals in our history. Maybe the Jock Weir goals in the game v Dundee in the 40's that saved us from being relegated. But I think that another result ultimately saved us that day, but Jock wasn't to know that as he was banging a hat-trick in. (maybe WG or Gordon could confirm)

Anyway, spontaneous parties are the best and we went mental that night at my folk's house with friends & family. About 40 of us going off our heads. We stopped around 6 in the morning. We counted 22 Champagne corks the next day amidst the rubble of beer bottles.

RELIEF. Far more than joy. Sheer Relief.

I had bought a gigantic tricolour right after the game. It said "Hail Hail the Celts Are Here" in the middle.

The following week was the Scottish Cup Final at Celtic Park between Hearts & Rangers.

Myself and Baz67 made a wee trip along the M8 armed with the sacrificial tricolour and loads of cable ties. We tied it to one of the bridges so it would be seen by many travelling to the game that day, just as a reminder of who The Champions were. I was quite proud of myself.

My wife said "But you're 37......"

I'm much more mature now......I stopped all that nonsense when I was in my early 40's.

CHEERIO to 10-IN-A-ROW.

Tully.

cheerio 10 in a row

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUzWwUnApig

enjoy

TBFTL,

am sure we alternated between it and Athenrye....and how did we get home that night?

I've got work in the morning, so it's good night from, and it's good night from him.

Hail hail

G.

Afternoon all

what wonderful memories we are all sharing on this wonderful anniversary date.

My memories of that day are frought with tension until the man, Harald Martin Brattbakk secured the title to stop ten in a row. Tears did flow down my cheeks, it was so emotional, such a relief that we had won, especially and most importantly ensuring that they would not better our wonderful record.

we can do it again this year, let's keep the faith and win against Hibs on Sunday and ensure we will definitely be in it on the last day - let's hope they're not though and we can party, party, party at tannadice.

Paul, previous topic just sums this site and Celtic supporters up - that even includes Ed and Occam - whilst we dearly love our club(s) it does us no harm at all to be reminded of what is truly important in life.

I pray that young Katie finds her match and is able to begin her road to recovery in order to celebrate many, many more championship wins by the hoops.

Hail Hail to 3 in a row and to all of us remembering what is truly important in life.

Someone asked on a previous thread if the St Mirren match against Rangers would be their last one at Love St before the move. It seems from the St Mirren website that all is still on schedule but my friend who is a season ticket holder sent me this -

"there were initial problems with the planning application for the love street site becoming a tescos, but after a fair bit of palm greasing of the local council (got to love the alexander family) it got the go ahead and the stadium is underway.

unfortunately the SPL have said that we won't be allowed to move grounds until all 11 clubs have visited (as the stadium won't be complete before the season kicks off) hence the reason for the december date to move.

however the gretna/celtic game being moved to almondvale has set a new precedent and we could be allowed to move earlier.

the actual construction has been on schedule though, it has just been the red tape bit at the start with the council holding us back."

So that won't be the final match at Love St.

chris sutton

That was me !

I was hoping it would be the final game there as St Mirren would want to go out on a high. They'll just have to beat Rangers for the sheer hell (?) of it.

Welcome Jim Bhoy 1010.

chris sutton is a legend, brilliant news, well done.

Oldtim67, good stuff.

Tully57, great stuff.

Faithfulthru&thru, let’s hope so.

'Twas before the days of easy internet access and despite Sky having the rights to the broadcasts they did not show either of the matches. Radio Scotland was just unlistenable to in Derbyshire so I got my news via Sky's Saturday sports programme My abiding memory was of Alan Brazil who had been delegated the match exclaiming " Get in their ya beauty!!!" when Harald scored. There was no doubting his allegiances, nor mine as I sported a self-satisfied grin for days afterwards. The misery was finally over.

Mention was made earlier of how poor the one and only performed in his first game; I take it that was a reference to his competitive debut against the Hibees. My mate, who had watched him in the friendly against Roma (I think) had no doubts whatever that he would be a great player for us. He was right, of course. He was also delighted that we signed Scott Brown. So, here's hoping the young llad comes good next season. (Mind you, a goal or two in our 2 final games wouldn't go amiss.)

Let's hope we all enjoy this May.

Without wanting to put a damper on the reminiscences, I still turn to Love Street (especially those rain lashed last 10 minutes) and the Dundee game. The St Mirren game at Parkhead never seems to have that special feel to it.

SouthLondonTim,

Sorry then as I thought it would be their last match but it sure doesn't seem that way.

similar tale to Tully 67.

During the 90's, with me in my mid20's i took my brother and two younger cousins to every game. for this season we sat in 144. brilliant angled view across the goal and up the park.

however i had got to the stage of not actually being able to watch the games, i was a nervous wreck. in close tight matches i had to leave the seat and go down stairs.

this habit srated at the aberdeen cup final penalties episode and got worse as the barren years continued.

howeva as kojo would say, this bad habit gives me one of my best memories.

i dont know how long it was to go, but i left seat and wengt under the north stand, wasnt another sole in the bit i was at, i somehow also seem to recall that the tv's were not on (?) , i kep looking up the tunnels , pacing back and forward, getting small snippets of the game.

i looked down one as boyd ran past with the ball, i then ran along to the next one as the ball hit the net, i saw the ball go in, but not the pass or the hit, i came out the tunnel rapid just at the split 2nd that Jackie reached the same spot at the barrier and we grabbed each other and so did a dozen other bodies pile on top.

a truelly amazing moment,

ref Love street.

I pass the new stadium every day, the construction programme i would say is well on schedule , and i dont see anything to hold it up.

Real Estate is my game, and , i am sure that the planning approvals and appropriate certificated will be applied for in a time frame that will allow them to access for end of July.

In the press conference today Gordon Strachan said that Scott Brown would without doubt develop into a fantastic player.

The other interesting comment was when asked about Riordan. He says nothing has changed in that regard and he's still not training with the first team. Neither did he want to comment on his future but he did say that every player with a contract has a future at the club. It is likely Riordan will be leaving in the summer (and I hope so) but I guess you could read into it that it's up to Riordan if he wants to stay if he's willing to focus on the team.

He praised Robson for being mentaly prepared when his chance came.

He pretty much said that Rangers should get on with it as well.

He also suggest Mark McGhee is fat for a second press conference in a row. Maybe he's annoyed at Motherwell for not taking points off Rangers :-)

Bhoy4life at 2:47 can you please remove that link or have you put it on by mistake. Dont anyone else click on it as its what the huns sing about Jock.

CQN is having one if its finest days ever Paul, which is saying something.

I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering what Scottish Leaf did to big Greig (but I'm not asking).

St Stiv's, I hope you didn't tell Jackie Mac that you hadn't actually seen his brilliance. At least you were in the right place at the right time for the celebration.

Craiginho, your account was well worth re-telling.

So many memories of that day.

Very nervous going up on the supporters' bus. Nail-biting, gut-wrenching tension inside CP. Then... Henrik scored!!
Unbounded joy!!! The place erupted. Wonderful, wonderful feeling of relief! Then...nail-biting, gut-wrenching tension again. Then... Harry scored!!! Unbelievable!!
Cheerio to ten-in-a-row. Never been so happy in my life!!

Back on the bus to Dumbarton. Everybody singing. Smiles everywhere. First pub in - Hun pub - curtains drawn (must have been the sunshine). Bus slows... 'Cheerio to ten-in-a row' belting out. Windows getting hammered by the Bhoys!!

Then...passing the masonic lodge... bus slows...'Cheerio to ten-in-a row' belting out. Windows getting hammered by the Bhoys!! Aggravating I know but who cares...

In and out every 'Celtic-minded' pub in the town. Then back again. Never been so drunk in my life.

My best mate (Rangers fan) and his wife drive passed as I'm stoating down the High Street in my Hoops. He spots me and puts the head (and the foot) down. She toots the horn and waves! He was raging! Later found out she asked him why he couldn't be happy for me! :-) Women, aren't they wonderful!

A friend's Dad died soon after that day. At the funeral, as the body was being lowered into the grave some of the Bhoys standing at the back started to sing softly 'Cherrio to ten-in-a-row'...

Like many others - a day that will love long in the memory.

Had no ticket and my Dad had been frantically trying to get a hold of 2 for us the entire morning. All I could do was sit and wait in the house, didnt have a mobile.

At 2:45 my Dad arrived and wisked me away - I asked the obvious question - did you get me a ticket? No!

He marched me up to Celtic park and through the main door, 10 minutes late. Striaght through the double doors and onwards to the stadium. My Dad sat me in between 2 guys and told me to sit tight - he then left before anyone realised what he did. Unfortunately I was in between 2 heavier gentleman but before I could get comfy Larsson set the tone!

Where there is a will there is a way.

Amongst literally thousands of synaptic blips and flashes that are true and real memories and maybe embellished in time to come - one that makes me smirk is getting on the pitch - my wife and I, being amazed at the rough and tumble state of the pitch - it always seemed a bowling green to me - making my way to centre spot we meets and hugs a friend deliriously. Later on that evening we met again in the pub.

'Paul!' I shouts grandly for tim and hun to hear alike, feigning puzzlement, 'last time I saw you was on the pitch at Celtic Park!'

There was quite simply another 2 or 3 days drinking left for me at that point - the stories are thick and fast and furious and funny.

Watched this in my mates bedroom on a wee 14inch TV, and much like the other stories overjoyed when Henrik scored the first and then major worry that we wouldn't wrap up the game, until.....Brattbakk!!!

I reckon I am not alone in that my overriding thought was that when the ball was played across to him that he would either trip over it or sky it to row Z, but the wee beauty buried it!!

This was the cue for bedlam, as much as the 2 of us could muster.

Out to the Garage that night with major smiles on our faces!

And just think. We get to see them all again soon in memory of Phil.

Hopefully the sun will be shining that day.

Chris Sutton is a legend

Well pointed out. It was brilliant to see Phil O'Donnell in that famous clip of Kenny Clark picking up the ball.

Everyone who has passed on their hopes, good wishes, prayers etc re: the previous thread.... thankyou so much.

There are too many people who have commented to thank individualy, but thanks one and all.

Fingers crossed for a fantastic turnout tomorrow, and fingers crossed for a suitable match.

And Paul.... once again, THANKYOU

Mark

Paul, Like Craiginho I'm moved to re-post my memories of the day we stopped the ten (previously posted under the post-Lisbon touchstone thread, apologies for the repetition)....

Paul 67,

I can't begin to tell you how much I agree with you on this post. Okay, I will begin to tell you.

Stopping the Ten was my Lisbon. It remains the finest memory I have as a Celtic fan. It was made all the sweeter by having to wait a week from when we thought we were going to clinch it...forcing us into a last day, nail-chewing, please God, 90 minutes.

I remember all too well the deep and profound disappointment of the penultimate week of the season. That draw with Dunfermline the day after the Huns lost to Kilmarnock at Ibrox.

I had been in Northern Ireland for my mate's wedding on the day of the Huns defeat (in one of the Reverend Paisley's churches no less!) and the decision was immediately taken to drive South to Dublin the following day to watch Celtic win the league rather than come back home to Scotland as planned.

So we did. And it didn't happen. And I was sure we'd blown it and I have never felt so gutted in all my life. I will never forget that feeling (or the name Craig Falconbridge) as long as I live.

Then that following week coming back home to Scotland and gearing up for the last day of the season...all or nothing. Salvation for the Ghood Ghuys or the horror of 10-in-a-row for that mob. And I was to be in Forfar with 'er indoors visiting a friend of hers for the weekend...I'd only agreed to go because I couldn't get a ticket for the St Johnstone game.

So I traipsed up to Forfar with the wife out of duty and was sitting there listening to them talking about curtains or somesuch riveting topic when the phone went. It was for me. Who the hell knew I was here (pre-mobile phone days for me)?

Well is it not my old man, who has moved heaven and earth to get a hold of this phone number for my wife's pal so that he can tell me he's going to give me his season ticket for tomorrows game. "I saw Lisbon son...you go and watch us stop the Ten."

I love him anyway but...well, you know. So the Friday evening beer tasted all the sweeter knowing that, whatever the outcome, I would be there on the Saturday to see it happen.

Next morning, early bus from Forfar to Dundee. Train from Dundee to Glasgow, then Glasgow to Coatbridge. Pick up the old fella's ticket. Train back into Glasgow from Coat-du-Bridge and meet up in McChuills with the mate who's wedding I had been to the previous week (yeah...he's a Celtic man...what a wedding that had been!! At the reception, the Best Man, when thanking everyone, finished off his speech by proposing a toast to "the hitherto unsung heroes of Kilmarnock FC"...class. You've never seen a hall divide like that!)

And so we had a few beers with my mate's brother (the Best Man)who had come up from Manchester for the weekend with a crowd of his mates (City fans who we had met and drunk copious amounts of the falling down water with a few weeks earlier on the stag weekend in Manchester). They had no tickets but just had to be in Glasgow to be part of it...whatever "it" would turn out to be.

And we all laughed and joked and sounded confident. "It's in our own hands." "We're at home, we have the advantage." "It's only St Johnstone to beat." But we were cacking it big time...the thought of them doing 10 was too much to bear.

And so it was time to head to the match. Arranged to meet the Manchester posse back in the Merchant City after the game, said the good lucks and off we went.

So doesn't Henrik (all bow) decide to set it all up nicely with a wonder goal right in front of where I was sitting? I will never forget the feeling of watching that ball fly into the net before my very eyes. Then thinking it had come too soon. And the long wait (and George O'Boyle's miss) then the much maligned Harald found the composure to win the game. And the league. And stop the Ten. And I never saw anything else in the ground after Harald scored because, for the one and only time in my life, I cried over the result of a football match.

And I don't mean that I had tears in my eyes. I was inconsolable. All the previous weeks (and 9 seasons?) tensions were gone. We had done it and I had been there to witness it. And my brother and sister found me in the ground and laughed at me greetin. So then it was "Cheerio, to Ten-in-a-Row" all the way back to the pub. The Manchester posse were bouncing and so were we all. It was just magic.

And the final memory I have of that wonderful scorching day was the sight of my mate being picked up from the pub in the car by his new wife to go to the airport to fly out to Jamaica for the honeymoon (yep...put back a week to make sure he didn't miss the last game of the season). He was blootered, standing up through the sun-roof of the car, with a huge day-glo Celtic top hat on and singing "Cheerio, to Ten-in-a-Row" with us, all waving him off into the sunset.

Seville 2003 was fantastic, but Glasgow in 1998 remains the defining moment for me as a Celt.

Yours in Celtic

The Planner

Hail Hail

The 1997/1998 season was very memorable for me. At the time I was living in Toronto, Canada, the year before my wife at the time and myself decided we were moving back home sometime in 98, we flipped a coin to see if we were moving back to my hometown in Scotland or her hometown in England, I lost, but before we move back to the UK we decided to take a year off to travel throughout Western North America as I used to live out west before I met my wife. We bought a van and planned to do a roadtrip, first to travel around Western Canada then head down the coast to California, then head back to Western Canada through mid-western states and lastly head up north to Alaska, Yukon and the Artic before returning to Toronto in Sept 98 to catch a flight back to the UK.

Before we left Toronto in Aug 97 to go on our year long trip I found a list of all the Celtic Supporters Clubs in Western North America. I was in many different CSC throughout the 97/98 season, the season kick off in Toronto, I watched the Celtic/Liverpool Uefa Cup (1st leg) game in Edmondton, Alberta, 2nd leg Liverpool, Calgary, Alberta, Kilmarnock game in Vancouver, BC, 1st Huns game San Francisco, 2nd huns game San Diego, League Cup Final Dundee Utd Santa Monica (great day), 2nd January Huns game San Jose and then from February to the end of the season I watched all the games at the Calgary CSC as we were living in Canmore in the Rocky Mountains.

I was use too watching Celtic games in Toronto, 3 pm kick offs start at 10am in Toronto, but some of the games in places like San Francisco were at 5 or 6am. I was steaming by 9&10am, the missus would pick me up at noon to drag me off for sightseeing and I would be legless after promising her that I would only have a couple.

Every Celtic Supporters Club were so generous in their welcome, when they found out that you were only visiting their city everybody was buying you a drink and introducing you to everyone.

In Calgary I became a member of the Calgary CSC as I was in the area for a few months. The club met in a bikini bar that was converted from an old Cinema. When we beat St Johnstone to clinch the league we partied from 8am to 8pm there (great bunch of guys)it was only after we stayed after 12 that my missus reallized that there were women working in the bar dancing in bikinis, usually left the club before 12 after the game before the women come out to dance. Happy Days I had at that club.

Later that summer after paddling the Yukon river in a canoe for two weeks I watched the World Cup final in the Sourdough Saloon of the Downtown Hotel Dawson City, Yukon, Canada (if you are eve