STEPHANE MAHE was scouted by Davie Hay before the Celtic legend gave the green light for the Rennes left-back to join the Wim Jansen Revolution in 1997.
The attack-minded defender won six honours – including two titles – in his four years at Parkhead and played for FIVE managers over that period of time.
Following Jansen’s departure after his one season that saw Rangers’ bid for 10 successive championships derailed, Dr Jo Venglos, John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish (caretaker) and Martin O’Neill all had stints in the Hoops dug-out.
Mahe was an experienced 29-year-old operator by the time he arrived in Glasgow and had also seen service with Auxerre and Paris Saint-Germain in his homeland.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Stephane Mahe celebrates another Celtic success.
The energetic performer, the first Frenchman to play for the club, had success in the east end of Glasgow, but will also be remembered for two red cards against the Ibrox club with one coming in the controversial 1999 clash where referee Hugh Dallas took the spotlight with some questionable decisions.
Naturally, none of them favoured the home side. Celtic lost 3-0 and Mahe was dismissed in the first-half after collecting two quickfire yellow cards.
However, the raiding full-back, labelled as a volatile character, was good value for money.
Mahe gave four good years to the club before moving to Hearts where he played for two seasons before hanging up his boots.
The last word goes to Mahe who, years later, admitted: “I don’t know if the Celtic fans liked me, but I loved them.”
