As the Premier League begins tonight, we look back to one of the more recent times Celtic have played at a Premier League ground, this time in May 2006. It’s little over 14 years since Celtic played Newcastle in Alan Shearer’s Testimonial at St James’ Park. Alan Shearer signed for his boyhood club for a world record £15m fee and scored a club-record 206 goals for Newcastle. On 11 May 2006, he kicked off proceedings before immediately being subbed for Michael Chopra.
Shaun Maloney and John Hartson scored for the Celts, whilst a Paul Laursen own goal and Luque strike ensured the scoreline was level at 2-2. Alan Shearer then came back on in the 90th minute to take a pre-arranged penalty kick, just so that he could score. He did so and Newcastle won 3-2, leaving Celtic fans furious at the shambles that had taken place, considering they travelled in their droves and paid good money for tickets only for the result to be fixed by a sham of a finish.
The Hoops would return a year later, in a friendly at St James’ in July 2007. Newcastle won 4-1 on that occasion, but the Celtic fans enjoyed themselves as usual!
