MARTIN O’NEILL is preparing to launch Celtic into their six-game run-in to the league campaign’s crescendo with a home game at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
It’s an identical situation to the one that faced the Irishman 21 years ago in his fifth and final season as Hoops boss.
Back then, O’Neill, at 53, was getting Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Stiliyan Petrov and Co ready for the visit of Aberdeen on April 16 2005.
Goals from Stanislav Varga, Hartson and Craig Bellamy, who was on loan from Newcastle United, made certain of three points with a 3-2 victory over Aberdeen in front of 60,000 fans in the east end of Glasgow.
CHEERS…John Hartson displays his joy after another Celtic goal.
The Hoops had to fight back furiously after going two goals down in 14 minutes following strikes from Zander Diamond and Darren Mackie for the visitors.
Centre-back Varga kick-started the fightback with a header in the 27th minute before Hartson struck six minutes after the interval.
Bellamy claimed what turned out to be the winner just before the hour mark.
And the Welsh international frontman whipped in a brilliant points-clincher at Ibrox a week later. Bulgarian midfielder Petrov powered the visitors into the lead with a header from a Didier Agathe cross in the 21st minute.
Bellamy then swept in a superb effort from wide left before the interval and Stephen Thompson’s 88th-minute effort was mere consolation for the hosts.
CHEERS…Craig Bellamy celebrates his Ibrox winner.
O’Neill’s men were five points ahead by the time they took on Hibs at Parkhead the following weekend. Disastrously, they toppled to a 3-1 loss with Scott Brown – of all people – adding to the misery with the final goal.
Craig Beattie was on target for the hosts, but no-one was celebrating in the east end of Glasgow that weekend.
Two second-half goals by Hartson downed Aberdeen 2-0 at Parkhead on May 8 and strikes from Alan Thompson and Beattie saw off Hearts 2-1 at Tynecastle a week later.
The midfielder hammered the opener past Craig Gordon in the 25th minute, but Paul Hartley levelled in the 71st minute.
It was left to Scotland international Beattie to slide in the winner six minutes later.
The game ended on a controversial note when Steven Pressley was red-carded after taking a dive in an attempt to win his side a penalty-kick.
Interestingly, Pressley, Gordon and Hartley all joined up at Celtic a few years later.
CHEERS…but it was tears for Chris Sutton and Celtic after the sensational flop at Fir Park.
Then came the May 22 fixture at Fir Park in one of the blackest days in Celtic history. Strong men still weep uncontrollably at the memory.
All was going according to plan when Chris Sutton netted from close range in the 29th minute and the Hoops looked in control. Bellamy missed with two excellent opportunities and his countryman Hartson joined in with a header over the bar when it looked easier to score.
With two minutes to go, future Celt Scott McDonald swivelled in the box to rattle in the equaliser. O’Neill’s dumbstruck players were still trying to come to terms with that blow when the Australian hitman claimed the winner.
Alex McLeish’s Ibrox side overcame Hibs 1-0 at Easter Road and the title was won – and lost – by a point.
O’Neill and Celtic MUST make sure there is no similar scenario this time around!
CELTIC’S LAST SIX FIXTURES 2005
Saturday April 16
CELTIC 3 Aberdeen 2
Sunday April 24
Rangers 1 CELTIC 2
Saturday April 30
CELTIC 1 Hibs 3
Sunday May 8
CELTIC 2 Aberdeen 0
Saturday May 15
Hearts 1 CELTIC 2
Saturday May 22
Motherwell 2 CELTIC 1
CELTIC’S LAST SIX FIXTURES 2026
Saturday April 11
CELTIC v St Mirren (3)
Saturday April 25
CELTIC v Falkirk (5.30)
Sunday May 3
Hibs v CELTIC (12)
Sunday May 10
CELTIC v Rangers (12)
Wednesday May 13
Motherwell v CELTIC (8)
Saturday May 16
CELTIC v Hearts (12.30)
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