- JAMES FORREST WINNER IN ROSENBORG
July and August are always difficult months when Celtic are required to negotiate tricky European qualifiers. The first leg versus Rosenborg at Parkhead was a nervy affair for both players and fans and finished 0-0 with the Norwegians missing three great chances to win the tie. In the second leg Celtic played with more confidence and control and when James Forrest gave Celtic the lead with an away goal the tie was as good as over.
- FIVE GOAL ROMP V ASTANA
The final qualifier for the Champions League group stages. What was expected to be a difficult game turned into a procession with a five goal led to be taken to Kazakhstan. The game was played on an unseasonably cold August night which felt more like October and that, together with the six hour time delay, was too much for Astana on the night. They may have been affected but the credit goes to Celtic for taking full advantage.
- GRIFFITHS GOAL V ANDERLECHT
The Champions League group stage draw was not kind to the Celts. With PSG, Bayern Munich and Anderlecht as opposition it was always going to be highly difficult. Playing Belgian champions at any time isn’t easy but when Ntcham and Tierney combined superbly to create a goal for Leigh Griffiths the Celts went on to not only win the match but win it well. To win 3-0 away in the CL group stages against any opposition is some achievement.
- TIERNEY GOAL AT PITTODRIE
In mid October Celtic travelled to Pittodrie with both teams unbeaten and excited talk of an Aberdeen title challenge. The Celts rose to the challenge superbly with Kieron Tierney giving them the lead with a spectacular effort and Moussa Dembele adding to more for a fine 3-0 win, much to the disappointment of the watching Scottish media.
- BREAKING THE RECORD V ST JOHNSTONE
In early November Celtic travelled to Perth in the knowledge that if they avoided defeat then they would smash the 62 game record unbeaten run created by Willie Maley’s Celtic team during the second world war. The Hoops had not now lost since May 2016. As the record gradually came closer the team had showed great strength in dealing with the pressure it brought but the record had now been broken. A magnificent feat.
- SCOTT BROWN TACKLE AT PITTODRIE
Late February brought another trip to Pittodrie. With the game in the balance at 1-0 Celtic were reduced to ten men when Mikael Lustig was sent off. Despite this setback Kieron Tierney scored a terrific goal on the break. Aberdeen lost their composure and when Scott Brown was assaulted by a thuggish tackle by Sam Cosgrove he bounced up immediately in an amusingly animated fashion, much to the joy of the travelling Celtic support. This incident summed up Brown’s inspirational value to Celtic over the season.
- EDOUARD’S WINNER AT IBROX
With the game balanced at 2-2 Jozo Simunevic was sent off in front of the baying Ibrox crowd. With his team again down to ten men, Brendan Rodgers bravely sent on Odsonne Edouard to give Celts a different dimension in attack. The move paid off handsomely when Edouard cut in from the left and curled in a spectacular winner. Rangers had Celtic on the ropes and yet it was Celtic who actually dealt the killer blow to end the contest.
- SEMI FINAL ROMP AT HAMPDEN
Rangers players had cheered when they drew Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi finals. However, the only cheers on the day came from those in green and white as Celtic tore Rangers apart in such a comprehensive fashion. And happily for Celtic supporters there would be more to come. On the day, Rangers could not cope with the skills of Rogic and McGregor and things would now get a whole lot worse for the Ibrox men.
- WINNING THE LEAGUE AGAINST RANGERS
This was the game that wasn’t meant to be. The authorities tried to avoid it but circumstances now dictated a league decider at Parkhead. Rangers fans knew what was coming after the semi final defeat. James Forrest had often been criticised for not turning it on against Rangers. However, his superb solo run and finish had the fans singing his name in praise. With Celtic 5-0 up with half an hour remaining the fans were anticipating a record thrashing. At the end of the game the fans left with mixed feelings. Joy, that Celtic had skelped their rivals and achieved 7 in a row, and frustration, that they had let them off very lightly with just a five goal defeat.
- A DOUBLE TREBLE
In May, Motherwell stood between Celtic recording an unprecedented record in the Scottish Cup final. Not even Jock Stein had managed a double treble so history was against the Celts. Much to the joy of the fans the game was over as a contest within 25 minutes with the game’s highlight being Callum McGregor’s spectacular opening goal. The celebrations afterward were long and memorable. The bus journey to Parkhead and the joyful scenes will long be remembered by all concerned.
The season is over and a double treble had been achieved. Roll on the treble treble and 8 in a row.
