I remember singing “It’s going to be 10 in a row”, but back then 10 had no significance. Neither did 9, it was like 8 in a row, another stop along the way. But when Jock Stein’s team finished their spectacular domination of the Scottish game in 1974 with nine successive titles and four European Cup semi-finals, “Nine in a row” became a phrase with extraordinary substance.
Of course, in years to come, for others, nine in a row became a target to surpass. In the late eighties Rangers changed the financial parameters of Scottish football for some time, and set their own course towards liquidation, but on the park, they swept all before them in the domestic game. By summer 1997 they had won their won nine in a row. McEwan’s lager billboard adverts featured the club with the line, “9 out of 10, could do better”. And didn’t we know it.
Celtic were in disarray having sacked Tommy Burns and with our three most cherished players, Di Canio, Cadete and van Hooijdonk on their way out the door. The new managerial appointment “the second worst thing to happen to Hiroshima”, as our mainstream media portrayed him to Celtic fans, arrived only two weeks before the start of the season.
After losing the first league game of the season at Easter Road Celtic lost 1-2 at home to Dunfermline; they were leading at half time. 10 in a row seemed inevitable but this season was the greatest example of why the prevailing currents of football are now always evident on the surface.
Have a read at this from the Independent after that defeat to Dunfermline:
“[The home supporters] cannot be fooled – even as the teams were announced it was clear they are unconvinced by the new signings. The mention of Pierre van Hooijdonk, Paolo Di Canio and Jorge Cadete before a game was enough a year ago to raise the roof in anticipation. On Saturday, Henrik Larsson and Regi Blinker hardly registered in the approval stakes.
“Larsson’s poor touch too often saw him lose possession. The blunt truth is he is not a proven goalscorer and Jock Brown, the general manager, will have to add fire power to the team.”
Don’t be too harsh on the journo who penned this, few dissented, and Jock Brown’s reputation was pretty much set by these incredibly inaccurate reviews. Although, “blunt truth” has never been used with such laxity.
The towns of the west of Scotland can be dangerous places after big football games but not 15 years ago today, when Celtic beat St Johnstone to win the league for the first time in a decade. Celtic fans of all ages poured onto the streets as the spirit of carnival took hold.
I remember hooped fans sitting on top of a set of traffic lights in Lanarkshire; green, amber, red, then rows of green and white. I walked around Hamilton town centre that night. For an evening, every pub was a Celtic pub, with rules about wearing colours suspended, and singing was celebrated.
And sing we did.
At the end of the night I could be found singing “Cheerio to 10 in a row” at a taxi rank outside a nightclub. The ‘brave’ soul standing in front of me waited until his taxi was moving away before mumbling his offenses out of the window.
Last summer I did an interview with Tony Hamilton for Celtic TV . When we drilled into what really made an impact on me as a Celtic fan I had no hesitation on placing that game against St Johnstone above Champions League victories, qualifying for a European final or beating Barcelona. We aspire to move beyond the confines of Scottish football but for 125 years this has been our home. In all that time, in domestic or European football, there have been, at most, only two more important games.
Enjoy the memories, but don’t play that George O’Boyle leap over in your mind; just in case you imagine him a few inches higher.
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Ohhhhhhh what a day that was. After the agony the week before never witnessed so much joy in my fellow fans faces. Gota thank my da for giving me his ticket that day while he listened to the game on the radio back in belfast!
Hail Hail
7-1
It’s the Blue Knights pt II – Easdale brothers
65 cup final Kev.?
Fabulous article though. Having a wee moment here.
On that day I sat with my brother, and 2 cousins in 144.
I was a nervous wreck, 10 years of the most painful times.
News came through the original huns has scored at tannadice, and I couldnt sit anymore, i went down stairs and paced around the concourse.
I reached the tunnel along from the corner flag, as Jackie crossed the ball for Harald.
I ran down the tunnel as Jackie reached the barrier, and had a big hug, well me and 20 others. what a day, what an amazing day.
My brother and cousin hadnt seen us win a league since they were 8 years old.
the other nephew never before.
Amazing day.
Nice summary paul of a momentus day in our long history..it will live with us all for ever h.h
tttt nothing yet still early days hehe
Exiled tim and doc slaintè
stand up for the Champions….!!
Dksglen, cool as a pilot in a storm.
Auldheid, I bet it was.
Token Tim, what a night, indeed.
BlantyreKev, Milan, 1970.
Sitting in tears here reading these tales.
It was a massive moment for the young supporter. I was 20 in 1998 and hadn’t saw us win the league since I was 10 years old!
Mean the world to me that day.
I appreciate every league win after 10 years of no wins.
LB
15 years! Feels like yesterday. Was a 2nd year student. Ended up in Manchester that night for one of my mates birthdays I think. Early hours of the morning in city centre singing “cheer up walter smith………..”
Ah, although arguably Leeds in the semi was bigger than the final for us.
Anyone going to the Q&A tomorrow that knows me, or has a good reference from Margaret McGill or Aw naw, no Annoni oan anaw noo. I live fairly nearby and have a spare room with a double bed.
Saint Stivs
for an interesting meal go Cail Bruich or Guys
for a warm lovely evening of wonderful food go to La Lanterna
If yo go to La Lanterna let Chris the owner know Bryan sent you.He has been a good friend to CQN over the years.
For a bar go to the Griffin
I have spoke to Michael recently and he might be opening again soon in Glasow !!
I can’t remember what I did that night, o))
Remember phoning my brother in law from Anchorage in Alaska (where I was before setting off to try and climb Mt McKinley) to get the St Johnstone score. The line was terrible but eventually he managed to tell me the score !
Ended up stuck in a tent for 7 days while a blizzard raged outside. Never made the top.
Still at least we stopped 10 iar .Would hated to have spent that 7 days in the tent if we hadn’t!
The token Tim
I was in that huddle too!
Kikinthenakas
Travelled up from Newbury to Northampton to catch the bus to the game with the Northampton shammy, what a journey and what a weekend.
V
Magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe5Hd3eGMKw
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22465783
Rangers: Sandy and James Easdale keen to build Ibrox stake
By Chris McLaughlin
Senior Football Reporter, BBC Scotland
Comments
Greenock businessmen Sandy and James Easdale are aiming to increase their shareholding in Rangers and hope to earn a place on the board as a result.
The brothers, who run McGill’s Bus company, are in line to buy the former Rangers chief executive Charles Green’s shares , giving them about 14% at Ibrox.
“When you spend that amount of money on any business you wouldn’t go without a voice,” said James Easdale, 42.
“A presence on the board is something we would be seeking in the mid-term.”
“
There are many at Ibrox who are sensible and know the way forward but they are struggling to get there because of different factions in the boardroom or outside the boardroom working against them
”
Sandy Easdale
Rangers investor
The pair, who are lifelong Rangers fans, were approached by Green towards the end of last year about investing.
They did so and acquired about 6% of the shares.
Now, with Green ousted and with the Yorkshireman announcing on his departure that he would be selling to the Easdale family, the brothers are looking to further extend their shareholding.
“We took a decision to invest in the club,” said Sandy Easdale, 44.
“It is very hard to comment but we are serious about taking it forward.
“We have a delicate deal that when shares are available, we will purchase them.
“Other shares are an option to us and that is growing stronger.
“Every day we have some more negotiations with other parties.
The Easdales’ business interests extend into taxis, property and manufacturing, as well as McGill’s, which has grown to become Scotland’s largest independent operator.
They say they are keen to see a “togetherness” at Ibrox to end the turmoil that has afflicted the club over the last 18 months.
However, they describe acquiring complete control of the club as “a far distant place”.
“Somebody needs complete control at Ibrox,” said Sandy Easdale.
“I don’t know if that is where we want to be. We are quite willing to share Ibrox with people who want to do the job, do it properly and support Rangers as a club.
“[The turmoil] is very concerning for any Rangers fan.
“If we get enough support from the fans and other shareholders, together we could maybe turn it round.
“There are many at Ibrox who are sensible and know the way forward but they are struggling to get there because of different factions in the boardroom or outside the boardroom working against them.
“We need a togetherness and Rangers can move on.
“They have a togetherness with Ally McCoist, a great Rangers icon who has held it together under extreme circumstances, and Ally well deserves a chance to move Rangers on.
“And people like Walter Smith, what can you say? The man is a gentleman.”
His younger brother added: “We would hope to bring some sort of stability.
“If we can get some other shareholders on board hopefully we can bring Rangers back to where they should be, in a better position financially and playing at a level of football that everyone who supports them would like them to be.”
Sandy Easdale also spoke of the situation affecting Rangers chairman Malcolm Murray, who has been asked to stand down by the board.
“Personally, I have nothing against him, I don’t know him that well, but if you are asked to leave twice there must be something amiss,” he said.
And asked about fans’ concerns about his conviction for VAT fraud, he replied: “It was 1996, about 17 years ago. We have built up a reasonable-sized business in that time, we employ up to 1,000 people.
“To cast up 17 years ago seems silly when everybody else has moved on. Let’s look at what is happening now.”
Another great discussion piece.
A few years back a few of us put together our personal top 10 of games (attended). Very, very difficult but good fun. Surprisingly low percentages of Rangers games for everyone.
The coolness displayed by Harald as he slotted away the second will come as no surprise to those who have subsequently been safely flown across the northern skies by the greatest footballer turned pilot in the history of aviation.
Big turning point was St Johnstone away early in the season (possibly third week). Jonny Gould pulled off an amazing save then Henrik scored. Went on a good run of wins from there.
Paul67,
As Deep but also as Simple as Kojo.
Yer on form.
Keepie uppie the outstanding work…..
off oot fur a bit.
BT,
thats one of the games i was thinking about too.
Started it all off so to speak.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
BT
Going to Lanzarote again :>)
Hotel Geria, gets top marks in all the reviews, anybody been?
http://en.hipotels.com/hotel-la-geria-in-lanzarote/photos.htm
V
Wow 15 years ago now. I remember being in Rab ha’s in the merchant city and after getting a round of drinks I took my wallet out to pay. The batman just went to the next person to serve
Then was told it was a free bar for the next hour. Ended up outside jintys in the west end with a bootle of Moët
Great day indeed
praecepta
try and get to the clove club with the Spanish Isaac who owns it worked up here for me and will be able to give you his suppliers here there and everywhere
SydneyTim
I used to manage Rab’s -never saw batman in it !
Re-posting from previous thread – a nice little piece of history from 1967 courtesy of Willie Wallace.
http://www.calameo.com/read/000390171e184816ff0e7
Whitedog. Aye saw that after I posted that. Slip of the iPhone lol
Was at the match, sick with nerves until the second one went in… Was still nervous until the final whistle.. In fact I only really relaxed in Brazen Head when the pub went silent to listen to the sports news…
I actually don’t remember that much of the match itself (which is true of nearly all games to be honest). I do recall the euphoria and the general sense of well being thereafter.
I almost certainly ended up in the Sub Club that night.
Whitedog. Someone said the owner had walked in and closed the doors and ordered the free bar
kikinthenakas,
i went on the bus from Tullys for a while, but was still playing Saturdays then, so only made a few games, although still had my season ticket.
Was some night that night in Tully’s. Seems to recall almost taking out about 20 folk when i stuidly jumped on top of my mates shoulders, but he couldnt handle it and dropped me – I was still an athlete back then BT and was still at my fighting weight of 12 1/2 stone afore ye mention it ya cheeky bassa :-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
LiviBhoy
12:39 on
9 May, 2013
Saint Stivs
Used to be Melvilles. Was Zen in 98
————————————
god i am getting stupider.
the time i spent in Livingstone was during the 88 season.
I jumped in too quick.
The bus would go via Blackburn and Harthill and armadale for 1 person pick ups.
There was a guy Marty from Harthill, brilliant Tim, i often wonder off his wherabout now
Re:BT Sport, got an e-mail to ask if i wanted to do the trial for it from June to August. Hopefully I’ll get accepted and be able to tell you all if it is any good.
Fingers crossed for a summer of free BT Sport.
ps. not told the wife yet! Gulp
Moi?
SydneyTim
I fondly remember the free bar that night. Seem to remember something similar happened in Rabs after the ’95 Cup Final.