The moment Scott Brown threw himself into a challenge on the edge of his own penalty area, laser-like in precision, to dispossess Barry Robson, brought the memories flooding back. Barry was regarded by many as a journeyman when he signed for Celtic alongside Georgios Samaras in January 2008. A month later he scored against Barcelona in the Champions League knock out stage and was well on the way to convincing the Celtic support of his ability.
At the time, Scott Brown’s fortunes were different. He’d arrived the previous summer, a £4m buy from Hibs, but had yet to acclimatise to the central midfield role at Celtic. In the spring of 2008, Celtic were well behind in the title race, and playing poorly. Robson was on the bench with Brown given midfield responsibility.
The script for that season was written by a gifted hand. As the season reached a climax, Scott was suspended for three games, punishment for a rash of misjudged tackles throughout the season. Gordon Strachan turned to Barry, who was made for the moment.
Seven years ago Barry Robson could tackle, in fact, he could foul, without being noticed. He brought determination and menace to a team which was questioned in the CQN comments section for an apparent lack of leadership.
Two of our last five league games that season were at Celtic Park against Rangers. Rangers had a games in hand but the effective gap was 10 points, Celtic needed five wins, and even then their chances of winning the league were regarded as remote. Towels were thrown everywhere.
The first, a midweek game, memorably started with Barry Robson putting a thumping challenge into Christian Dailly in the opening minutes. The tone was set, Celtic were there to fight for everything. Rangers thought they had the point they needed, their manager offering high-fives in the technical area as they cleared the ball late into added time.
I still can’t quite believe what happened next. In the 95th minute Gary Caldwell threw a long ball into the Rangers box, which was won in the air by Scott McDonald, the smallest player on the field. McDonald headed across the face of goal for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to head into the net. Celtic survived to fight another day.
11 days later Celtic Park saw an equally dramatic game. Scott McDonald (scorer of incredibly important goals) put Celtic ahead but the season looked to be in tatters as Rangers struck back with two goals direct from corner kicks.
1-2 down in a must-win game it was an uphill struggle, but McDonald struck again two minutes from the break to level the game with the assistance of a deflection. The second half was a tense affair, so much was invested in one game of football, but one man was made for the moment.
McDonald broke free inside the box and was hauled down by Broadfoot. Barry Robson stepped forward to take the penalty, it was the defining moment of his career. If you’re in Celtic Park early enough before kick-off these days you can still hear the echo of the roar that went up when his penalty hit the net. His celebration was unforgettable.
It’s remarkable that Barry is still performing at this level so many years after his peak but yesterday’s decisive challenge by Scott Brown demonstrated the enormous leaps our captain has made since becoming a Celtic player. We need players with that fight and craft.
Many of us are still telling stories of the 1985 Scottish Cup Final. A goal down, Celtic roared back to beat Dundee United with a Frank McGarvey diving header. Frank’s offering the jersey he wore that day for auction to raise funds for Maryhill Foodbank. It’s a genuinely unique piece of Celtic history, for a very worthy cause. Check it out here.
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tallybhoy…
You were right first time, oh and the second time. You on the lovely vino :) HH
HT
Not sure if you read some of the comments last night about the treatment of our fans yesterday again
I think that should be raised again at the meeting
HT…
If you ever need away tickets that’s Lennybhoy in second place now :))
BT,
It does read like that if you skim over it quickly eh?. :)
Talking of comments people later regret, how about this from a would-be Labour leader.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/9973249/Labours-Chuka-Umunna-asked-how-to-avoid-mixing-with-trash-on-elite-social-network.html
Geordie
It can easily be read that way, suprised none of her detractors picked up on it. 8))
BT, don’t we all at some point ;-)
What a dire 45 mins fae the Emirates.
Hello team, would be looking for your help to spread the word about campaign;
“The 8th May 2015 will mark the first anniversary of our friend’s child, Oscar James Knox, gaining his Angel wings. To celebrate Oscar’s short but memorable life, we’ve organised a 223 mile bike ride over three days.
We’re using this opportunity to help another young child who desperately needs support: and fast. Eileidh Paterson needs £100K by June in order to receive specialised DFMO cancer treatment in the USA. That treatment is not currently available in the UK.
On Saturday 16th May 2015, the cyclists will leave Forres, Eileidh’s home town, bound for Inverness. There, they will take in the SPFL match between Caley Thistle and Dundee United, raising awareness of neuroblastoma, and in particular Eileidh’s plight, before setting off south to Glasgow, and Celtic Park, home of Wee Oscar’s favourite team.
We have set up this team page to raise awareness and much needed funds. Our team have a common goal to raise money for the Neuroblastoma Childrens Cancer Alliance (NCCA UK). The team are Steve Taylor, Kevan Lawler, Iain McGovern, Robert Campbell and Paul Muldoon.
We are football fans of different teams with a common goal: to make a difference for Eileidh in wee Oscar’s name.
We would like to ask for your help by donating to Eileidh’s campaign.
https://www.justgiving.com/HighlandbikerideforEileidhPaterson
OR
Text EPAT50 £1-10 to 70070
The Highland Cycle Team.”
Thanks for all your support Mouldy67
jmccormick
20:36 on 11 May, 2015
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I say foolish things on here all the time, and I’m a grown adult.
Difference being that I am not representing anyone but myself.
She’ll be fine, believe you me – when she is sitting down in Westminster, claiming expenses and drinking expensive brandy along with all the rest of the parasites – all paid for by the poor tax payers like myself.
What choice do I have in the matter? I don’t want to pay those leeches expenses.
HH.
Gordon_j
I think Willie Miller who used to referee games whilst captaining the sheep attended John St in Bridgeton
Maybe you can tweet him or something
BT
I did mate. Meeting on Thursday night where I’m sure it’ll be discussed at length.
Sipsini
Now now :-)
What a great day up in Aberdeen yesterday, the support was just amazing from our bhoys n ghirls. No idea how some o the sheepies in the beach end never got huckled, seen people in green n white lifted for less. Loads of kids in that area, papa sheeps not setting a good example.
Logan is not a bad wee player though I suspect he will never get to experience pulling on the Hoops, I know no other Aberdeen player is good enough.
Broonie is just class nuff said
A wee tune I would like to dedicate to Shug Keevins.
..and most of his colleagues in the SMSM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khnOWGXT5NI
HH!!
*** THE WINNER OF LAST MAN STANDING 4 IS………***
CRC’s otherwise engaged at the moment and so it falls to little ole me to announce the winner of Last Man Standing 4.
You may remember that there were still 5 left standing after week 6. 4 of those – Colour Blind Bhoy, Kelvinbhoy, 16 roads and Setting Free The Bears all went for Ross County. But they failed to take account of too-little-too-late St Mirren who traveled up to Dingwall on Saturday and won 2-1.
This left The Black Cat with an anxious wait until Manchester City took the field on Sunday lunchtime. The unanswered question here is whether he (or she) was watching us beat Aberdeen or Man City demolish QPR 6-0. Regardless, The Black Cat is our latest champion and congratulations to him (or her). Word on the street is that the winner is a Sunderland fan but, as we all know, we are a Blog Open To All ;-)
A big thanks to everyone who took part, raising funds for a fantastic cause, Wee Shay. You can read more about Shay here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Shay-Along-The-Way/814451225255695?fref=tsi
We’ll be back in the new season with LMS5.
And breathe……
Jobo and CRC
Congrats to The Black Cat.
Lucky indeed :)
Jobo
Well done to you and CRC for your efforts.
16 Roads.
I agree with almost all of that, and I am not being a smart arse. I will wait and see if she does become a drain on the public purse like many of the complacent oafs she ,and her colleagues, replaced.
Misogyny???
Cited flicked it yesterday from what I heard. 8))
Congratulations to the black cat
HT
My mate was telling me that the Police intimidation was the worst he has seen for years, in Aberdeen yesterday. He goes to every Celtic match like yourself.
Had to laugh at my bhoy earlier, he showed me his first two wage slips and asked me why he paid NI, he isn’t earning much at the moment.
I showed him my last wage slip and what I paid…bugger that dad, I’ll be heading to Australia to work with my cousin.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him it’ll be the same there.. :((
D D
PBR is back
Was The Black Cat called Black Cat in a previous incarnation? Just asking like.
Noticed that tickets for Perth are now readily available, funny how these limited tickets appear once the game is irrelevant!
T R
Josh was on the bench
jmccormick
20:55 on 11 May, 2015
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No problem mo chara.
HH.
Gordon J,
As an ex-pupil of John Street Senior Secondary can I say that school colours were black and gold,school badge was circular,a la CFC, and included a hand holding a quill, and a gold star above the hand.
HH
Jude
Don’t get your acronym pal?
sipsini
Greetings!
Apologies for not having been in touch for ages.
Back in Itália.
Yes, supping vino!
Mail you soon.
HH!!
I hate f***ing Mhairi’s Black Cat :-)
DD
Yep I’ve heard that yesterday was bad and even a passing Celtic supporting solicitor was roped in to inform the ‘law’ about their own legislation!!!
Jobo/CRC – Thanks a million for taking the time and making the effort to organise the competition.
I understand that it must have been difficult.
Anyway, well done to the winner and thanks again.
That was brilliant sport.
Roll on next season.
HH. :)
Pog…
A dead cert for nine in a row :)
Pogmathonyahun
I would stop doing it then.
I was going to take a sleeping pill but have decided to watch the second half of Arsenal v Swansea – that should do the trick!
Sftb,
:))