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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Oops… To shore up our defence :)
GEORDIE MUNRO. I never gave that a thought but stranger things have happened. I personally would rather have Alex Neil than Paul Lambert. H.H.
Dolphin rumour.
Hmmmmmmm , not sure whether to say yeah or nay. Think I’ll flipper a coin instead.
HH.
JFH
the rumour down South is that Paul Lambert is going back to Norwich City
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So that’s Lambert and Larsson at Norwich now then? :-)
Celtic 4 – 0 Glasgow Cup final
Emerald Bee
Thoughts and prayers in support of your family
Lets do rhis Celtic
HH
why on earth would someone put money into a pub nowadays, stoopid.
Emeraldbee
Will do.
HH
KTF
Chick says Ronny has “brought it on himself”.
What is it with these Celtic managers!
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 29TH APRIL 2016 5:56 PM
http://www.celticfc.net/news/10416?
Good news. This kid will be knocking in Champions league goals for us one day.
—————————————————
Thought this boy looked very good in the game against Valencia. A number impressed in that game, particularly Regan Hendry.
Emerald Bee
God bless and protect ..
One of my last memories with my son was at celtic park . Always makes me smile when I remember the emotion that night
EMERALDBEE\O/ STILL PROUD TO BE AN INTERNET BAMPOT on 29TH APRIL 2016 6:46 PM
Hopefully we do win the league tomorrow. I will think about your young cousin while watching the game.
YNWA.
BBC Scotland TV News………………………The Championship play offs take top billing.
p.s. Celtic could be Champions of Scotland.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
SIPSINI
What a belter the Ireland top is, told my bhoy to get it and I can get a loan of it for Dublin:))
………………………………………………………………………………
Will it fit ye?!
:-)
HH!!
sipsini on 29th April 2016 5:16 pm
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL…
Maybe if Ronny just got the chance at the job he was intended for rather than being thrown to the Wolfs, he would made the good coach that I think he is. Sadly, he was hung out to dry. HH
*and some want the cause of this to return.
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFULL. There are plenty of rumours and there will be plenty more but one thing I do believe it will have to be an imaginitive and exciting appointment in order for Celtic to sell season tickets.If it is a low profile manager who has had little success up to now I believe Celtic are in for a shock about the number of seasons that are not purchased. H.H.
EmeraldBee, Your post puts a lot of the pish here into perspective, guys walking away full of indignation and literally a dying Rebel just wants to see a last Title win.
God Bless you and your cousin and I will certainly keep him in my prayers.
Thanks guys – his car has just arrived. See you all tomorrow.
Emeraldbee…
God, you think you have worries and your post puts things in perspective, hopefully your cousin will watch the hoops do it tomorrow. Prayers with your young cousin. HH
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 29TH APRIL 2016 6:56 PM
That ‘Rangers’ TV commentator could get a job with Beeb Scotland nae bother.
TALLYBHOY…
My bhoy has square shoulders and a six pack like me :)))
Emeraldbee
Treasure your time together, hopefully he sees Celtic win the league.
WGS
JFH
Alternatively it could be a high-profile name who has had little managerial success.
May shift season tickets but lead to poor results…
“My bhoy has square shoulders and a six pack like me”
Sips,
Funny enough, I have square sausage and a six pack tonight annaw. :)
HH
——
Our Reliable Sources Inform Us That Oor Irish Raj….
Has Over-Ridden The Protests Of The Twa Ugly Ians..
And Hiz Grudgingly Agreed Tae’Unseal’ The Famous Huntley & Palmer’s Biscuit Tin…
So That ‘The Griff’ Can Be Suitably Rewarded…
For His Epic Goal-Scoring Feats This Season.
However, The Twa Ugly Ians Are Insisting Oan A Discount…
Fae Auld Erchie Tunnock…..
For The “Celtic :Tap Score Trophy”
Tickets For The Official “Unsealing Ceremony” At The Coolmore Mafia HQ, Noon On April 1st….
Can Be Purchased Fae The Celtic Ticket Office For Ten Guineas Each*…
*(There Is A Restriction Of Only Ten Tickets Available….
To Each Individual Customer….
Due To Overwhelming Demand..D.D. )
——
The Bespoke Celtic ‘Tap-Scorer’ Trophy
https://tunnocks.orbgroup.co.uk/bespoke-tunnocks-van?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C4301756453
—-
PS..PL Will NOT Be In Attendance…!
He’s Over In Mexico / Checkin’ Oot How Oor Partnership Wi’ Mafia Laguna Is Bearin’ (Fruit ?) / Goin’ Tae Some Wild Lambada Pairties Wi “The Bishop” &
Wee Efrain Juarez…
[ ALLEGEDLY..!! Ed ]
~~~~
Dearie me what next. They have turned the ‘hallowed’ hoops into an advertising sandwich board. Betting firm on the front, booze company on the back. Perhaps we will add (pardon the pun) a fast food outlet on the sleeves next. Why anyone would consider buying a shirt covered in ad’s is beyond me. Do they still sell ‘sponsor’ free shirts (most likely at a premium) ?
Emaraldbee
Hope you have a night to remember
Keep the faith
Emeraldbee@6.46
Great post. Hopefully the Bhoys do it for your cousin tomorrow. Puts all of the other keel (Jackshun) into perspective.
Go on the UFBs
GEORDIE MUNRO…
:))) ye canny kid a kidder:)
Nye Bevans’ rebel soldier on 29th April 2016 5:00 pm
Anyone who want’s to know where the unions are
in the 21st century should take a walk into the new
Southern general hospital and gaze at the Unison
office in the main foyer along with Marks and Spencer
and WH Smith………assimilated into the whole corrupt
matrix.
NBRS,unison member.
Good Evening Timland.
====
Some unions keep the faith, ad’s in last weeks Morning star
Unite. London mechanical construction branch
‘calls for the unfettered control of Irish destiny’.
A ‘Connolly association’ supplement about the 1916 rebellion – supported by the RMT
Dont really follow snooker but See Mcmanus in Semi
Met him in Santa Ponsa about 25 years ago
Hes hooped up
Glendaly@7.20
The “the Rangers” commentator made me laugh. He was positively sick when the fourth went in and couldn’t mask it? Great. Just wish it had have been Sunday week ago.
Keep the faith
EmeraldbeescousinisastoaterCsc.
I was at Dens that day. Maybe the only Celtic supporter where history was made. I recall at half time that they did not announce the half time scores. I was told that the reason was that Celtic was 4-0 up.
It wasn’t reported on the day, but there really was an invasion of the pitch when the first goal from AK went in. When the second went in….. There was no energy left.
Allegedly – the urge to sing “the lion sleeps tonight” is only ever a whim away.
@more*hi*jokes
Glendalys
*The Rangers TV* – should have put a health warning, forgot I watched it with the sound turned down.
The big hoose was empty CSC
EmeraldBee
It will get done tomorow then. The man upstairs will see to it, God bless to all the family.
Hail!Hail!
Good evening friends
notdonethatforawhileCSC