The Centenary Season was memorable for many reasons, not least the brand of skilful, attacking, football we played. The title was destined for Celtic Park after a win at Ibrox, but Hearts at Tynecastle would be our first opportunity to officially become champions.
Two tickets were secured, but for the Hearts end, so title celebrations were planned without colours. We were in the ground early – the enclosure in front of the stand. As the place filled up there was the occasional Hearts scarf, but the majority were also without football colours. By kick off it was clear there were more Celtic than Hearts fans in the section. Both sets of supporters were free to express their feelings without any trouble.
The game was forgettable. Celtic, who had run teams ragged all season, were unable to craft a goal and left pointless. It was disappointing, but a week later, 63,000 (over) packed Celtic Park in the sunshine as the league was won in a more appropriate environment.
My preference would always be to win a title before our own season ticket holders at Celtic Park, but if we can’t do that, Tynecastle comes pretty close as an ideal alternate venue. Hearts fans sang “We’re only here for the party” when we lost the title seven years ago.
Let’s remind them who the champions are tomorrow, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Albert Kidd title in 1986. Albert Kidd, a Celtic fan, was a Dundee player at the time. On the last day of the season he was on the bench against Hearts, who needed a point to win the title. They were 32 games unbeaten. Albert hadn’t scored a single goal all season.
He was introduced with 15 minutes remaining. Five minutes later he opened the scoring at a corner kick. He then scored the goal which inspired Diego Maradona to run through the England team and score at the World Cup a few months later. Diego’s goal was brilliant, but Albert’s was far more astonishing. It was utterly astonishing.
We did something to Hearts that season. They never recovered and never will. That 15-minute cameo from Albert, with Celtic’s five goal mauling of St Mirren, finished them.
The Celtic Foundation’s ‘Heroes of ’86 – 30 years on’ dinner takes place on Sunday. Albert Kidd is guest of honour, as are Celts from that team (not all of them!), including our captain, Paul McStay. I hear the Kidd family will be very well represented on the night. It should be something special.
Enjoy your weekend, especially if you’re going to Tynecastle, or the Foundation dinner. These moments are precious.
30 years later, I’m still astonished.
Charlie Gallagher, What a Player
Charlie Gallagher was at Celtic Park for over 10 years. Encompassing the 1960’s, his career was an eventful one, touching the depths of despair and the ultimate triumph. Slightly-built, he seemed to lack the necessary robustness. But appearances can be very deceptive. Behind the easy-going exterior lurked a tremendous football brain, with the ability to spray passed which fast-running forwards would relish.
Charlie starred in one of Celtic’s best performances in years as MTK Budapest were beaten 3-0 in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup semi-final at Celtic Park. When Jock Stein arrived in March 1965, Gallagher was given a settled role at inside-right. His play was quiet but effective and good enough for him to retain a place for the Scottish Cup final. Eight minutes remained when Charlie trotted over to take a corner kick on the left. It was like one of those Spot the Ball competitions in the newspapers where the entrant must place the ball in the exactly the right spot. In this case, the target was the moving one of Billy McNeil’s head… And Gallagher’s accuracy was to signal the return of the glory days to Celtic Park.
The next two seasons were to see Charlie in the role of valuable pool member, covering for injuries or being used as a surprise weapon. In the first league game of 1965-66 season at Tannadice, Charlie hit the bar in the first two minutes and rumour has it that the bar is shaking yet. And, of course, it was the action replay from him and McNeill which gave Celtic their narrow victory over Vojvodina Novi Sad in the European Cup quarter-final in 1967.
One day at Muirton Park, where Celtic won 6-1, there was a brilliant Freudian slip by an old-timer standing near me in the enclosure. One particulate long pass was greeted with a clap and a cry of “Well done, Patsy”, an understandable confusion with Charlie’s namesake of more than 40 years earlier.
CHARLIE GALLAGHER? WHAT A PLAYER! by David Potter is published today by CQN. You can order your SIGNED copy HERE.
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MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 30TH APRIL 2016 7:54 AM
TONY DONNELLY67 on 30TH APRIL 2016 7:52 AM
And who are our hard men ?
:-(
You don’t have to be hard, you need to be cute, and not back off, not asking for dirty stuff, just plenty of heart, and come off that park at the end of the day, with nothing in the tank, every last playe has to do it, even one weak link today and we are done for its as simple as that, come off that park knowing you’ve given your all, because the fans will on the terraces .
Emeraldbee
God bless you and your brave cousin.
Perspective time for me.
YNWA
DELANEYS DUNKY on 30TH APRIL 2016 8:04 AM
Macjay
None on the pitch. Erik and Kieran as close as it gets to a hard man. The rest are milk tray soft centres.
You see there you go naming names, the knifes out already, it’s a team game, you win as a team you lose as a team, everyone gives all he has got, no finger pointing, no slagging, get in there get it done, positivity and 100% concentration will get us there, not name calling.
TD67
We need swollen chests to fill the hoops today. Nae shirkers like at Hampden against the vermin.
Oh well, opened the back door to find a dead magpie outside, feck knows what nick Caesars in, that was one big bird…green bin it went in.
DD…enjoy your day mate, 2-0 the hoops. HH
Sipsini
Cheers comrade.
Why did you not pluck the maggie then cook it for Caesar?
Good morning from a very sunny East Lothian.
Visiting my mum in Killie today so will give the bhoys a wave as I go down the M8 in the opposite direction!
Coupla things…………
Never realised the boul’ Albert was a Tim…………….Every CQN Day is a School day.
I blame the Teachers!
:)
……………ither thing – Troll(s) seem(s) awfy energetic an’ urgent an’ suddenly, strangely fuul o’ beanzzzzzzzzz………. wi’ thur calls for Timdom “pitch-foark” hari-kari……..
Embdy wid think they waantit……………….. Celtic reduced, diminished and ultimately demolished
Clearly – the Hun(s) dinnae like it up thum.
Guid.
HH
DD
I woukd have thought sipsini coukd have knockef out that old castlemankian favourite Magpie pie ;)
Sips
I amind not superstitious but would be happier if caeser left a second Maggie
TBJ
Any dead wildlife would never go uneaten in these parts. An Gorta Mor descendents value food.
CQN Saturday Naps competition
Lads, please post your selections here :
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/its-not-just-about-genius/comment-page-17/#comments
fleagle1888
EMERALDBEE
Prayers said for your wee cousin.
Take care.
If we win the league with a good performance today do you think that NEGANON2 won’t be on the Blog
the day?
Hope so!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*** LAST MAN STANDING ***
All of this weeks picks have been submitted. There are 14 competitors still standing. In no particular order it’s good luck to: Praecepta, Norfolk Enchants, Onemalloy, Janice67, Big Al, The Token Tim, Nakasammi, Winning Captains Jnr, 20 hats, Lennyshon, Gearoid1998, Channelislandcelt, jamabhoy and Stevie67.
This week the 14 have split their choices across just 4 teams. And all 4 games are playing today with 3 of them at 3.00pm. Doesn’t get any more exciting than that, Ted!
The relevant games are as follows –
Aberdeen [1] v Motherwell
Hamilton [6] v Kilmarnock
West Brom v West Ham [4]
Arsenal [3] v Norwich (5.30pm)
So there’s 1 person who really does hope that we don’t win the league today!
Got the day off today.
Wee one has maths tutor 11 ’til 12 this morning, then her and Mum are off to Edinburgh shopping(Gulp!)
What can I do to pass an enjoyable few hours in the afternoon?
I wonder.
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DELANEYS DUNKY on 30TH APRIL 2016 8:12 AM
TD67
We need swollen chests to fill the hoops today. Nae shirkers like at Hampden against the vermin.
Yup, your bang on mate, and that’s what I posted, you give 100% you’ll get results, in any way of life or sport.
SIPSINI
Roast magpie for Caesar’s tea tonight?!
HH!!
I doubt if Mulgrew will be in the squad, only because O’Connell was called back midweek, but someone said Mulgrew picked up a Wee knock, but we will see.?
Remember the time we pumped Hertz 7-0 not so long ago?
What are the chances of that being repeated today?!
HH!!
Think o connel is injured too Tony
Tony D – seeing as you asked, Paddy Power say that the chances of that being repeated today are 500/1. Bet365 are only offering half of those odds.
TD6u
Positive thoughts only for the trip to Gorgie today. Let’s smash these wee huns Celtic.
C’Mon the hoops!!
Lets win this league today.
Td67
Pub for you and beatnik or hoose?
JOBO BALDIE on 30TH APRIL 2016 8:56 AM
Tony D – seeing as you asked, Paddy Power say that the chances of that being repeated today are 500/1. Bet365 are only offering half of those odds.
You mean TALLYBHOY right :)
C’mon Celtic let’s make it one of those special Celtic days to remember.
MARRAKESH EXPRESS on 30TH APRIL 2016 8:58 AM
Td67
Pub for you and beatnik or hoose?
Me? Pub, I’m meeting big peter an Masty :)
Oh Tynecastle in the sun.
The Celts score 7 and the hertz score none.
HH
Marakesh express
Beatnick not allowed out with me two days in a row my Wee sister says :)
TD67 – apologies (doing a lot of that lately!)
Tallybhoy – ach, you know the rest…
Just read back
EMERALDBEE
Devastatingly sad news. You are all in our thoughts.
Prayers said.
TGCW
You out if we win?
O connel has been recalled to celtic park as he has picked up an injury . Joins the queue in the Lennoxtown treatment room
Tallybhoy…
That bloody cat gets fed in most houses in the street, he kills for sport :(
Are you home or sunning it? HH
Praecepta… Why am I not surprised you’re still in the mix with the last man standing …you old fox. HH
Emeraldbee,
Prayer said for your cousin. Terribly sad. Hope he sees us win the league today.
I’v neve known a team to have so many injuries in one season.?
The ole CQN Coupon for today –
Jobo – Newcastle
BT – Ipswich
Lennybhoy – Burton
PF – Sheffield Wednesday
Pog – Notts Forrest
AWALK – Everton
TTT – Accrington
GL2 – Milwall
Bet responsibly.
HT
I’m in the town watching it with guys from work,day out organised weeks ago. Some of them are zombies. Looking forward to it today. We’re winning this.