Greatest ever Celtic XI in my lifetime…
It’s a discussion that’s always brought up, whether it’s in the home, at work, on supporters buses, in the pub or even on social media. What’s the greatest ever Celtic side in your lifetime? It’s a difficult one to pick as there are so many great players, especially for those lucky enough to have witnessed the era of Jock Stein and the Lisbon lions.
My side took a while to put together. I was born in 1980 so I’ve witnessed many a good player to have donned the famous green and white hoops. My side playing in an old fashioned 4-4-2 formation complete with nine substitutes is as follows.
1. Artur Boruc –The holy goalie was a sensational shot stopper and also a huge presence at the back. He has had his blunders, but don’t all top keepers? He was one of the best in Europe between 06-08. Top drawer.
2. Danny McGrain (C) – Considered by many to be the best right back in the history of Celtic football club, and also the best Scotland has ever produced. I don’t recall seeing him play, but he played in the hoops until 1987 so I can add him!
3. Kieran Tierney – Only played about four full seasons but what a player. A true Celtic man and he could defend and attack in the same quality.
4. Bobo Balde – The big man was solid and would put the fear into any centre forward.
5. Virgil Van Djik – He wasn’t with the club long, but like Bobo he had the strength and was also elegant on the ball. They would be a brilliant partnership.
6. Paul Lambert – Lambo was a superb player that maybe didn’t get the credit he deserved, but he was a leader and a top class player. A player who would hold the midfield together.
7. Henrik Larsson – It’s got to be the King of Kings who else? One of the greatest ever Celts and definitely the best in my lifetime.
8. Paul McStay – The maestro, one of the best to pull on the hoops. During the mid eighties he was world class. Undoubtedly one of the greatest Celts of all time.
9. Chris Sutton – The big man had something of a telepathic understanding with Henrik. He was good in the air and on the deck. Even in midfield or defence he was terrific.
10. John Collins – JC was one of the best I seen in the hoops. His technique was top notch and he would score valuable goals. Unlucky to have played at a dire time for the club.
11. Shunsuke Nakamura – The Japanese playmaker was unbelievable. Like JC he had the technical ability and would pop up with a vital goal now and again. His Free kicks too!
Subs – Forster, McNamara, Agathe, Elliot, Petrov, Moravcik, Di Canio, Hartson, Cadete. My manager of course would be Martin O’Neill.
I think that would be a formidable side both domestically and in Europe. It’s not just a bunch of talented players but leaders. There’s height, strength, technique, pace and goals all over the side. Larsson and Sutton being supplied from Collins and Nakamura? KT and Danny? Unbelievable.
Set pieces with Big Bobo VVD, Sutton and Henrik in the box? A defenders nightmare. The Industry and guile of lambert and McStay in the middle? Outrageous. Imagine the arguments to take a free kick!
It might not be everyone’s best side, but it is mine. Now tell us your selection of the best Celtic XI in your lifetime?
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Don’t miss out on The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park this Thursday night (7pm-midnight) , it’s going to be extra special with some special guests on the night now confirmed. Tickets are selling fast so it looks like a packed house with brilliant Celtic conversation and music from Boolavogue plus the launch of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan…Remaining tickets available from Celtic Star Books website, just click on the image below…
As an oldie, I cannot look further than Simpson, Crag and Gemmell, Murdoch McNeil Clark, Johnstone Wallace , Chalmers, Lennox and Auld although I would probably substitute a fit Joe McBride for Wallace.
Unlike An Ordinary Bhoy I’ll stick to players whom I’ve seen. Here goes, in 4-2-3-1 formation:
Boruc;
McGrain, McNeill, Van Dijk and Gemmell;
Murdoch and Hay;
Johnstone, Moravcik and Lennox;
Larsson.
Substitutes: Forster, Tierney, Elliott, Connolly, McStay, Auld, Wallace, Dalglish and Brown.
Great choices. Provan, Dembele and Rieper would have been my only 3 changes
Forster
McGrain
Tierney
Van Dijk
Rieper
Lambert
McStay
Moravčík
Collins
Larsson
Cadete
In a 4-4-2 with a diamond in midfield.
Subs: Boruc, McNamara, McKinlay, Petrov, Thompson, Nakamura, Dembele, Sutton, Hartson.
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Another oldie !
1 Boruc
2 McGrain
3. Gemmell
4 Murdoch
5 McNeil
6 McStay
7 Johnstone
8 Larsson
9 Dalglish
10 Auld
11 McBride
SUBS; Gordon, Tierney, Connelly, Lambert, Agatha, Nakamoura, Lambert, Sutton, Deans
McStay
Johnston
As another oldie – 67, I also have a lot of 1967 – but there have been good players since. Try :-
Forster, McGrain, Balde, McNeill, Gemmell, Murdoch, Lambert, Auld Johnstone, Larson, Dalglish
Boruc
Mcgrain Elliott reiper lynch
Lennox mcstay petrov Burns
Larsson Nicholas
simpson mcgrain mcneill van dyke gemmell murdoch mcstay johnstone larsson dalglish lennox with jock stein as manager
Simpson
D.McKay, Gemmell
Murdoch McNeil Clark
Johnstone WallaceSutton Larrson A Byrne
Subs
Lennox Divers Boruc Elliot Chalmers
Lisbon lions every time subs Larson dalglish Mcstay bonner
Fraser Forster in goals, a back four of Danny McGrain, Virgil van Dijk, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kieran Tierney. A midfield diamond of Scott Brown, Paul McStay, Lubo Moravčík and Shunsuke Nakamura. Two up top Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson.
Subs – Gordon, Lustig, Aitken, Lambert, Burns, Provan, Jota and Nicholas.
Manager – Brendan Rodgers
Fraser Forster
Danny McGrain
John Clark
Billy McNeill
Tommy Gemmell
Bobby Murdoch(captain)
Bertie Auld
Paul McStay
Lubomir Moravcik
Jimmy Johnstone
Henrik Larsson
Second 11:-
Artur Boruc
Chris Morris
Paul Elliot
Virgil Van Dyke
Kieran Tierney
George Connelly
Scott Brown(captain)
Shunsuke Nakamura
Paul Lambert
Kenny Dalglish
Joe McBride
Ridiculous that you’ve picked a known fascist on the bench
3 5 2
Goalkeeper – Boruc
Defence – Van Dijk, Rieper, Tierney
Midfield – Nakamura, McStay, Brown, Collins, Moravcik,
Forwards – Sutton & Larsson