I wasn’t at the 4-2 game against Oldco on 21 May 1979, when “10 men won the league, tra-la-la-la-la.” Martin42 is still dealing with the consequences of going without me, but I endured the 0-3 defeat 20 years later that saw the title go to Ibrox.
In the intervening 19 years the authorities in Scotland have done their best to ensure we do not have a potential league winning game between Celtic and either of the Rangers group of clubs, but here we are. There may never be another opportunity.
That Celtic team in season 1998-99 started poorly with new manager, Jo Venglos, working among one or two strong personalities in the dressing room, but by the springtime we were flowing and a title challenge was on. When we met Newco on 2 May, a win would only give us an outside chance of the title.
Then came the news that we would play with a rookie, Scott Marshall. The result wasn’t Scott’s fault, but the chance added a pressure to a defence which already had Stephane Mahe, for some of the game, anyway. We could not handle the pressure. Oldco stuck to task and won comfortably.
This was a time when titles in Scotland were decided by sheer brute force. David Murray’s Rangers’ aggregate income for the four seasons which followed Celtic’s title win in 1998 was £180m – but they spent £282m, an average loss per season over four years of £25m.
The Rangers way of doing business was working. It delivered titles and denied you and me football success. There were many reasons to dislike how they did business. Liquidation would take another 13 years, but the consequences of financial irresponsibility were always inevitable.
Newco will walk into Celtic Park on Sunday with their own version of Scott Marshall, Jak Alnwick, who has made just two senior appearances (no clean sheets) since arriving in Glasgow 18 months ago. We need to make sure he endures a torrid afternoon.
After watching Graeme Murty earn two draws at Celtic Park I have a bit of respect for what he can do there. He should not be underestimated, few managers arrive for their third visit undefeated, but the man is so embattled right now, his ability to prepare a team must be significantly impaired.
By contrast, Brendan Rodgers gave a tactical masterclass in the recent games at Ibrox and Hampden, costing Murty any chance of securing the Newco manager’s job long term. For Brendan, Sunday is all about getting the job done as early as possible, before preparing the squad for the cup final, which is only three weeks away.
I know it’s greedy to ask for too much when we are within touching distance of a second successive treble, considering we only won two in 48 years before last season, but I really want this one. Let’s do it for everyone who was at Celtic Park on 2 May 1999, or who lived through the years when David Murray and Dave King sat on an Oldco board which lost £35.3m with a turnover of only £44.8m. Contemporary times show that some lessons cannot be taught too often to those who refuse to learn.
The same people are strutting around our game with the same sense of entitlement. Show them how to win the league with style and within budget, Celtic.
Raffle to play in an 11-a-side game at Celtic Park, closes 15:00 today, Friday 27th
An incredible opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at Celtic Park around the end of the current season 2017-18, in Club sponsor Intelligent Car Leasing’s match.
You will be provided with complimentary Celtic kit and receive the full match-day experience including arrival through the front door, access to the dressing room and proudly walking down the tunnel to enter the famous field of play.
Both squads will be managed by a former Celtic player. Date 16 May, 11:00 kick off. All monies raised will be donated to Celtic FC Foundation, a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number SC024648).
To enter the raffle, make a minimum donation of £5 to the Foundation at this MyDonate page. Then send your donation confirmation email to this address: celticquicknews@gmail.com
The opportunity to play on Celtic Park is just beyond words. I did it a few years ago, the memories will live forever, as will the photographs. The experience of preparing in the dressing room, as so many greats have done before, was fabulous.
You can enter for yourself, or gift the prize to someone you know aged 18 or over. Competition closes in just a few hours at 15:00, so enter now!.
Good luck!
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First.
Woo hoo!
7 iar HH
Well done Mike!
Doing my three in a row happy dance
2nil the good ghuys HH
Okay .. my two in a row happy dance… which is pretty much the same as the three in a row dance, except for the Two in a row one, i keep my clothes on.
Cheers philbhoy
Come on you Bhoys in pink?
4 v 2 game I was there..
0 v 3 game I was there..
Sunday God willing I will be there, that reminds me I need to get a case of BUD in for a wee celebration drink after.???
I’ve done the Bud brewery tour , near Newark, quite a few times….they offer you a couple of glasses of beer………
I’ve never taken the second….
:0
Hi Paul,
i was at the 3-0 game also. Scott Marshall was a central defender and not a keeper. He was marking Neil McCann and got ripped the whole game.
HH
Pog,,
Budweiser not to be confused with Czech Budvar is an American brew brewed by Anheuser Busch. It is undoubtedly the shittiest beer on the planet.
A true story.
Uncle Jim goes to Budweiser factory to get a tour.
At the end he ends up in the tourist bar within the factory.
All through the tour they are taking potshots at their perceived rival Miller.
When its Uncle Jims time for a pint he joke gimme a pint of miller.
Barman hands him empty glass,,points at male bathroom and says,,
take that in there flush the toilet and catch that water and youve got a pint of miller !
The same uncle told me when he was young was asked a buddy about where to go on date night and was told to go see the kid who breaks his guitar strings.
He went and there were 12 people there.
The curtain comes up, the kid, a good looking boy , looks dissapaointed, counts the people, nods, sits back and used its as a finetuning practice session. Last song true enough he breaks his guitar strings, smiles and leaves.
That kids name was Elvis Presley. oh for those strings now which everyone ignored.
His daughter tells me of getting put into the bath and then Sunday best despite the fact it wasnt Sunday. She couldnt understand what was happening when the whole entire family dressed like a Sunday got into the car and drove downtown then parked and waited.
30 minutes later she was placed on Uncle JIms shoulders and waved to JFK .
30 minutes later in the car on the drive home Uncle JIm went white and pulled the car over and turned the radio up. She says the house they parked outside ran out crying and hugged him. The streets filled instantly.
God Bless JFK.
My abiding memory from that game is watching Neil McCann orchestrating the Rangers players in a huddle on the centre circle of Paradise. I also remember the absolute carnage in Glasgow City Centre by the rampaging Rangers fans celebrating their win.
Scott Marshall was the numpty defender signed from Southampton .He played like a numpty
Kerr was in goal .
TOMEISTER
Spot on
HH
Just left GWH Swindon
BMCUWP is being discharged today at 4pm
Thanks GWH staff and CQN
Mrs CCB and I delighted
PTL
Big ups to BMCUW .
Look after yourself . Take care !!!!
Have to say i will be astounded if Steven Gerrard takes the Sevco gig. If his Agent does even the slightest bit of due diligence he will run a mile like everyone else has.
CCB
So delighted and relieved.
God bless.
HH jamesgang
CCB
Great news indeed!
Better tell his local that the downturn in takings is temporary!
Get really well soon Mick!
The 0-3 game v the Deady Bears also saw Colin Healy making his debut .
We did it playing football,pure beautiful inventive football….with some style and of course lashings of fiscal prudence….
Who would win in a fight between Scott Marshall and Gordon Marshall?
SOT,
while youre around.
My first ganja records
Burning spear marcus garvey
Mad professor recaptures pato banton
The local white boy reggea band that made it good here is called Rebelution.
https://youtu.be/PvdL5EHmPAo
In San Diego it was Simply Stoopid.
https://youtu.be/byL0yA1Pl5Q
Have a great night brother. Cant believe you made Winterland. Altamont ? The blues brothers closing winterland is a staple in the madman household. As is downhill from here, my fav dead concert.
Hail Hail
I played golf with Gordon Marshall, the goalie who played for us, and he was great company and a lovely golfer.
He played off 4 at the time.
Strange thing about that 4 ball is that 2 of the guys were called Gordon Marshall.
There ye go!
The great Larry Marshall – a top Studio One choon 1970
https://youtu.be/bKC1LiUowWM.
Time to fly !
Good news CCB . Pass on best wishes to the young yin . The bhoy Kerr done ok in goal on that horrible day. The monkeys celebrated with violence in the city centre and beyond. One of my worst days watching Celtic. Bad memories, which make these times all the more sweeter.
Previous comments about Belgian beer reminded me of an occasion when I was sitting in a cafe in the Ardennes with two friends. One of them, who was known for his dry sense of humour, held out his beer glass filled with an ale from some small monastery in Belgium and declared, ” I could fair live in Belgium: three hundred and sixty five days in the year and you would not have tasted all the beers made in Belgium.”
No worries about the weekend.4 bottles of the old Italian Champagne,brought back from sunny Glasgow,chilling in anticipation.Days like these are what I live for.
The 4-2 game.I remember my brother took us in his old banger.Coming back along the Gallowgate,there was the biggest traffic jam,we had punters on the roof,and bonnet sitting belting it out,.Utter elation.Next to Lisbon,the greatest memory ever Areal shame that so many have never even seen the highlights.
Why, does all the shite about stevie G get flying into the media, first choice, job is his if he wants it? Surely youd make sure you had your man before letting shite like that out, it makes you look like sevco.
Much as celtic can be a pain in the arse regard transfers i prefer, i prefer the guy to be committed first with contract in hand
HH
Great news on BMCUWP!
I was at the 4-3 game as well.
Went for a pee at 0-0 to be told by my mate the huns had scored.
Never heard a thing doon that auld dunny.
Great memories though!
Worst game I’ve ever experienced for a multitude of reasons,poisonous atmosphere in paradise that day.
Hugh Dallas’s proudest moment, no doubt.
How’d you like it now Hugh?
HH
MAHE .
Altamont — No . Stones not my cup of tea . I have 3 choons _Paint it Black / Sympathy for The Devil and Dead Flowers .My big sis dragged me to see them at Hyde Park. Not a great day , I also had to endure Family and ####### King Crimson.. A day that started with a time and a half shift in an East End Sawmill . Student job stuff .
I’m a Doom Bar man at the start of a beer-in-the-house evening. But after a couple I can then drink anything ;-)
I would imagine that Liverpool would have a duty of care towards Gerrard and advise him accordingly.
IF, by any chance he does land in Govan, he is merely proving the old adage, that a footballer’s brains are in his feet.
Tactics , Tactics we don’t need no steenkin tactics?