If football resonates with you in any way, it’s probably because it brought you an intense joy at some point. For me, two such moments happened at Tannadice. We travelled there in 1981 but were still trying to get through the turnstiles when Murdo McLeod put Celtic ahead in 2 minutes. Frank McGarvey and Tommy Burns added two to complete a 2-3 win. I think this was the first title I saw us win in person, it’s certainly the earliest I remember. Danny McGrain was held shoulder-high right in front of me; the memory is indelible.
The outcome of that league was never really in doubt, not so, the 2008 title. Gordon Strachan’s side looked dead and buried six weeks earlier. They needed to beat Rangers twice and hope their title rivals dropped points in another two games to bring the achievable gap down to goal difference.
All that was achieved by the time we travelled to Dundee on the final day of the season. Celtic and Rangers were level on points, with Celtic holding a four-goal advantage.
If the game that won the title in 1981 was a procession, that night in 2008 was anything but. Celtic looked fragile throughout the first half and came perilously close to going behind in the final minute of the first half. Rangers were at Pittodrie and both games were goalless on the hour mark. A goal either way could shift momentum.
Aberdeen made the breakthrough on 63 minutes, we had beathing space. Nine minutes later, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed Celtic ahead from a corner kick. Soon thereafter, Aberdeen made sure of the job with a second goal at Pittodrie and a helicopter was despatched towards Dundee.
That season started with the players celebrating on-field with Tommy Burns, their assistant manager, after beating Spartak Moscow on penalty kicks to gain entry into the Champions League group stage. On scoring the winning goal, Jan pointed to the heavens, acknowledging Tommy’s passing a week earlier. The fortitude the team and manager showed that season was remarkable.
As you watch tonight, there will be no tension. Celtic could play you and me in central defence in their final two games, just for the “lols” and would still win the league. But that just makes the achievement all the more remarkable.
In the summer, we went out of the Champions League with a central defensive pairing of Stephen Welsh and Dane Murray playing in front of Scott Bain, who was given the gloves after Vasilis Barkas performance in the first leg. Ismaila Soro played the holding role in both games. In a very literal sense, the Celtic that will take the field tonight would be unrecognisable to us back then.
Enjoy the game and remember – it’s an early kick-off: 7.30.
174 Comments- Pages:
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Mad Mitch,
The amount of posts you put out daily makes me think,you are a” Coked up zoomer”.
If you EVER went to a game and said that to one of the GB,they would knock you on your arse,.
Weebobbycollins
No I had never heard of Dundee Utd 4 Celtic 5 from 1962!!
I think Dundee Utd were the only team to beat Celtic in the 66/67 league season.
Tommy Burns´ goal in 1981 is a work of art.
Tommy Coyne liked scoring at Tannadice
Paul McStay scored many a screamer there.
Craig Bellamy helped himself to a hat trick there as well
Nakamura also notched three against the Terrors up there.
Paul Hartley swung in a good corner in 2008, JVOH met it straight on and I was in the huddle, outside the pub, shortly thereafter.
INIQUITOUSIV on 11TH MAY 2022 1:53 PM
I’ll say something for him. Fat Charlie can strike a ball. Check link at 3:50 in.
https://youtu.be/cTVfcXPyDD0
===============
Indeed.some strike.
Some reports here say he may get youths at Dundee.
HH
TB @ 2.23
You are correct — I do have better things to be working on.
As for the GB — nothing for me to worry about.
Too many fat pudding boys in their numbers to be a real threat.
WBC@1:17pm
I was at the game,lots of nail biting in the end.Very comfortable then we nearly blew it i think we had a 5-1 lead.
Iniquitous,
Yes he can.Especially at the weekend.Right across his own 6 yard line for opposition to tap in.
It was indeed a screamer last night.
Trying to decide which gave me the most pleasure.
Paul 67
Your blog is having the pish ripped out of it.
Is it about the clicks?
Casual racism on a Celtic blog
Why not block the ip at source?
Anonymous trolls with your backing Paul?
Any word Paul?
HH
Shaping up to click those clicks page 3 already.
Click to ignore Racism
Celtic a club open to all,refugees are welcome,racism has no place at our club
Was working in Frankfurt on the new Opera House,( Working,not performing ),in 1980,when they won the Europa.Fantastic night.The main Brewery in Frankfurt,famous name escapes me,put on free beer in all their pubs throughout the City,until 3 am in the morning.Riotous fun.None of us saw the Opera House next day.
Our new left back.
Very impressive.
https://twitter.com/aboutceltic/status/1524088843980390402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1524088843980390402%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecelticstar.com%2Fmohanad-jeahze-to-celtic-latest-players-like-jeahze-dont-grow-on-trees-here-in-sweden%2F
TimHorton…can’t remember all the details. I think you’re right about being 5-1 at one stage. Did Paddy Crerand score that day? And D Utd played in black and white. Neighbours Dundee were the big team in the city at the time. I sold my bicycle to get to the game…
Mad Mitch,
Obviously you don’t know them.Not too many fitting that description. They would knock you down so much you would end up with a Cauliflower Arse.
State of this blog today…yikes…
Anyhoo midfield next season. No change from the 3 that Ange adores and captain Callum, the POTY too, will be in the centre of it.
I’d like an able No. 6 that can challenge him and cut down on the risk when he doesn;t play, or plays poorly (ups his scoring !!). Reo Hatate is a template of the brave MF that Ange adores and will be next season’s POTY and mainstay of the team. Turnbull, Rogic, O’Riley and Guchi will replace Bitton. So a bit of steel and vision please head of recruitment – a kind of Ya Ya Toure running machine please would be nice…
HH
This is the Day
When we er don’t get in….
This is the Day CSC
WBC,
Can’t remember that game.I was at Dunfermline,1966,5-4 to us.2-0 down,3- 1 down,4-2 down,wee Bertie,I think got the winner.Stick in the memory game.
Paul 67 may be portrayed on here by some as being only pro -board but if you had really followed his trajectory over these years he has shown himself to be pro -club, pro-team, pro-players, pro-supporters, pro -management and pro-staff. Against the Negative Anons and their acolytes, he has taken all the slings and arrows of outrageous criticism ( from all of us at times too ) and he deserves a lot of respect for that.
Callum,
Love lots about the guy but his goalscoring return needs improved..
2017/18 – 12 (7 in league)
2018/19 – 6 (3 in league)
2019/20 – 13 (9 in league)
2020/21 – 4 (Sh*tshow season. 3 in league)
2021/22 – 4 (Angeball. Only 2 goals in the league).
Must do better wee man..imho.
HH
What Rimtimtim said 3 minutes ago.
Strange one that Broony is set to start w Barton’s old alma mater Fleetwood Town.
What stopped him being brought back into our fold…the way Steeevie was at the ‘pool?
You know…working with the youths, groomed and supported in learning to play Ange’s Celtic way before going on to a wee ‘big club’… then rejoining us with several years of managed experience under his belt.
Tough proving yourself against Acrington Stanley (who are they? Zactly!) and Burton…
His pride or our short-term thinking ?
Won;t be up at 4.30 to watch us – too much beauty sleep needed lhads – enjoy and savour the game. Nite.
Madmitch
Do you think VB, LS, JM, KB, SW. AA ,TR, playing GK, LB, DM, RW, CH , CF . RB tonight will still see us win?
What is your opinion of these places? DE, CT.CO,AR,ME,MD,RI.SC?
GTF…..
ST TAMS.
Did you get a ticket sorted?
I don’t have a spare but might be able to buy/get another home end ticket if that is your only option? My email is quadbhoy at gmail.com if I can help.
QB
DENIABHOY on 11TH MAY 2022 12:16 PM
Apologies for the repost for those of you who were on this morning. Came across this graphic which illustrates our dominance since the 1960s.
Imagine how it would look without the Murray-backed cheating decade?
https://www.cfclassics.co/leagues/scotland/titles/scotland-football-league-winners.htm
________________________________________________________________________________________
DENIABHOY
interesting to note that between 1955 and 1965 not only did we not win the league we weren’t even runners-up!
Rimtimtim- I generally do scroll by but when I seen a few remarks about some racism not as bad as other racism I thought I cannot, you might but I cannot not my style.
Racists are Racists no matter if some like the odd post or not.
If You let these rats fester then you have a problem as they spout their ideology and gather support.
D :)
Rimtimtim
I seem to recall Dundee Utd beat us twice during our all conquering 1967 season.
If you ever bump into Jim Spence, he’s sure to remind you.
Good guy is Jim.
Tannadice, 2008.
We all gathered in Carfin Vaults (RIP) as we did for away games.
Electric atmosphere, everyone high on a title win coming.
FInal whistle blows, we’re all cheering and hugging as a few folk come running in shouting even louder about a crash just happened seconds ago outside.
We run outside to see a car mangled at the front and another car on its side!!! 15 mins later the street is closed, blue flashing lights everywhere.
Oh well, cops are here and in control. Now, where did I put that Guinness!!!!
BTW, everyone was ok, the car on it’s side was the young apprentice from works who came to watch the game!! Oops!!
Shall I ask a ceaucescan romanian..
——
No need – we have the direct equivalent here in Bonnie Scotland. The Party/State parented by the Murrell Collection…Nippy & Slippy.
Just ask one of the cult, or, one of your Cybernat brothers. (ps. Cybernat is not a race)
QUADBHOY
Thanks for the offer.
I’ve resigned myself to not going.
Can’t decide whether to stay in or venture out to a pub to watch.
oh
ffs.
I may have posted this before but the games which i think won the league are:
Aberdeen x3: 2-1 A, 2-1H, 3-2 A
Dun Utd: 1-0 H
Ross County: 2-1 A
Dundee: 3-2 H
Games won late on in most cases, players filling in up front, youngsters filling in, and most importantly; getting hard 3 points when not on top form while Sevco were dropping points
Hail Hail
Never ending……..round and round and round….
ST TAMS on 11TH MAY 2022 3:48 PM
QUADBHOY
Thanks for the offer.
I’ve resigned myself to not going.
Can’t decide whether to stay in or venture out to a pub to watch.
————–
Pub, out out – you know it makes sense😎☘
Rimtimtim
Paul 67 may be portrayed on here by some as being only pro -board but if you had really followed his trajectory over these years he has shown himself to be pro -club, pro-team, pro-players, pro-supporters, pro -management and pro-staff. Against the Negative Anons and their acolytes, he has taken all the slings and arrows of outrageous criticism ( from all of us at times too ) and he deserves a lot of respect for that.
Oh he most certainly has my respect RTT
It is a great Celtic forum like our club we can always do better,and on a day we are champions a reminder to stand against racism.
Enjoy tonight rtt ,52 championships on from leaving St Mary Hall.
HH
Coneybhoy 3:51
Good post
3 home games and 3 away. Only 1 clean sheet in there?
The team, and manager, have certainly dug deep to be in this position.
CONEYBHOY
😂😂🍀🍀
2008 was a magical experience. I am usually a calm head at games but I was unnaturally nervous that night. The missed chance in the first half by Noel Hunt unnerved me. To this day, I think it was. easier to score than miss and I wonder if he deliberately missed.
I recall leaving the back of the terracing for quite a few minutes near the end when we were 1:0 up- still concerned that we could throw this away.
At least I saw the game, a pal of my nephew’s managed to get into the home end with a ticket sold by one of the many United fans eager to make a buck that night. Unfortunately he chose to applaud Nakamura when he was warming up pre- kick off and was immediately buckled by the Polis- had to go and find the nearest boozer but was back in the ground before 90 minutes was up as many united fans left early
I echo all that Rimtimtim has posted about Paul67 & CQN.
Still the best Celtic blog because the reasonable & vitriol- free, outnumber the unreasonable & vitriol-filled, by 50 to 1.
UNCLE JIMMY on 11TH MAY 2022 4:00 PM
Coneybhoy 3:51
Good post
3 home games and 3 away. Only 1 clean sheet in there?
The team, and manager, have certainly dug deep to be in this position.
——–
Great points, hadn’t looked at that way. The clean sheet vs Dun Utd was very nearly burst before we scored as well – Juranovic was like the champion farmer – outstanding in his field!!
JHB on 11TH MAY 2022 3:45 PM
Shall I ask a ceaucescan romanian..
L——
No need – we have the direct equivalent here in Bonnie Scotland. The Party/State parented by the Murrell Collection…Nippy & Slippy.
Just ask one of the cult, or, one of your Cybernat brothers. (ps. Cybernat is not a race)
Racist scum like you need your shallow stereotypes.
Those of snp persuasion can answer your racist rhetoric
You defend your genocidal union with spitting rage.
You are not of the left.
Sssssssssssssshhhhh Boris being silently admired
Team racist jhb are here for politics only.
The drivel you post just does not match up with the you tube sensation you didn’t quite become,ps DD says keep yir tongue for Galloways arse,he loathes sychophants