THE BHOYS WHO STARTED SIX-IN-A-ROW

1

ONLY three Celtic players remain from the 14 used in the team that kicked off the six-in-a-row title charge – James Forrest, Emilio Izaguirre and Kris Commons.

That trio are the sole survivors from the Hoops team that beat Hibs 2-0 at Easter Road on Sunday, July 24, 2011 as they launched their attempt to regain the flag from Rangers.

That triumph set in motion five successive crowns and the Parkhead side could make it six as they prepare to take on Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

A win will guarantee Brendan Rodgers the championship in his debut season in charge of the Parkhead side.

sSSBKSBgyyW-Ag0KdGeIVA42040

However, there is the chance they could achieve the silverware without kicking a ball if Dundee beat second-placed Aberdeen at Dens Park on Friday evening.

There have been massive changes in the east end of Glasgow since the remarkable run kicked off six seasons ago.

Neil Lennon was in charge back in the summer of 2011, but the Irishman and his backroom staff left to be replaced by Ronny Deila and his No.2 John Collins in June 2014.

And, of course, the Norwegian and the ex-Celtic midfielder made way for Rodgers and his assistant Chris Davies last summer.

Here are the players who were victorious in Edinburgh to get the ball rolling.

LUKASZ ZALUSKA: The keeper, now 34, was signed from Dundee United on a Bosman deal as back-up to his fellow-Pole Artur Boruc in 2009. He failed to establish himself in the first team and was also stand-by for Fraser Forster and then Craig Gordon. He was released two seasons ago and joined Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98.

MARK WILSON: Signed from Dundee United for £500,000 in 2006, the right-back captained Celtic against Hibs in the absence of the suspended Scott Brown. He won a league medal in his final season at the club. After a spell at Bristol City, he returned to Tannadice. The 32-year-old former international played 10 games for Dumbarton before being released last summer. He is now manager of Airdrie.

KELVIN WILSON: Neil Lennon brought his former Nottingham Forest team-mate to Parkhead on a Bosman in the summer of 2011 and the centre-half, now 31, made his first appearance at Easter Road. He spent two years in the east end of Glasgow before returning to the City Ground in a £2.5million deal.

njEdl9t1kMpqTpz9jOcjfA53981
GLENN LOOVENS: The Dutch central defender, signed from Cardiff City for £2.1million in August 2008, was also on the way out at the end of the championship-winning campaign.He spent a season with Spanish outfit Real Zaragoza and the 33-year-old is now captain of Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship.

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE: The 30-year-old Honduran international defender, signed from Motagua for around £1million in 2010, lost his left-back place to Kieran Tierney last season. He is coming to the end of his contract. Last summer, he was linked with several Spanish sides.

zzPtMMnFjAQESR0XTlaL0w46330

BERAM KAYAL: The Israeli midfielder cost around £1.5million when he joined from Maccabi Hafia in 2010. An ankle injury kept him out for four months and he faded from the first team picture when Deila replaced Lennon. The 28-year-old is now a vital part of the Brighton side pushing for Premier League promotion.

JOE LEDLEY: The Welsh international arrived on a Bosman from Cardiff City in 2010 and became a key man for the Hoops. The 30-year-old playmaker was sold for £800,000 to Crystal Palace in January 2014 when he only had five months left on his contract.

KI SUNG-YEUNG: The South Korean midfielder, signed from FC Seoul for £2.1million in 2009, scored seven times for the title-winners and claimed the second goal against Hibs in the 63rd minute. The 28-year-old moved to Premier League side Swansea City in 2012 for £6million and had a loan spell at Sunderland before returning to the Welsh outfit.

7i8Kus7a7AOXSquPbV9tTA25710

KRIS COMMONS: The 33-year-old midfielder, who missed a penalty-kick against Hibs, arrived for a bargain £300,000 from Derby County in 2011 and will be out of contract in the summer. He has failed to make a solitary appearance for Brendan Rodgers. Had an emergency loan spell with Lennon at Hibs earlier in the campaign.

lzwjqMOyG1P0LYc8326vOg31536

ANTHONY STOKES: The Republic of Ireland international, who arrived in a £1.2million deal from Hibs in August 2010, grabbed the 14th-minute opener against his old club, where he spent five months on loan last season and helped them to win their first Scottish Cup in 114 years. The 28-year-old frontman left Parkhead in the summer to join Blackburn Rovers.

GARY HOOPER: The striker was an inspired £2.4million signing by Lennon from Scunthorpe in July 2010. The Englishman scored 63 goals in 95 league games before Norwich City paid £5million to take him to Carrow Road in July 2013..The goals dried up in East Anglia and the 28-year-old is now a team-mate of Loovens at Hillsborough following his £2.4million move during the January 2016 transfer window.

hm355-24E42JQqf2Q_FUZw49785
JAMES FORREST: The winger replaced Commons on the hour mark. The rejuvenated international, now 25, made his breakthrough in 2010, but failed to settle until Rodgers arrived and put him back on track. Also agreed a contract extension at the start of the season.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS: Came on as a 79th-minute substitute for Stokes. Gordon Strachan signed him for £2.5million from Manchester City in 2008 after the Greek international impressed during his initial loan period. The 32-year-old attacker left in 2014 at the end of his contract and signed for West Brom. Also had a spell with little-known American outfit Rayo OKC. Now with Real Zaragoza.

SHAUN MALONEY: Had only four minutes on the pitch after replacing Hooper. The 34-year-old was in his second spell at Parkhead after starting out in 2000 under Martin O’Neill and then rejoining the Irishman at Aston Villa for £1million in 2007. He returned to the Hoops a year later for £3million. He left in August 31, 2011 in an £850,000 deal for Wigan and is now with Hull City after a spell in the States with Chicago Fire.

Unused substitutes: Dominic Cervi, Charlie Mulgrew, Adam Matthews and Victor Wanyama.

Manager: Neil Lennon.

img_3168-19.jpg

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author