As last gasp Celtic goals go, Big Jan’s was one of the best

Celtic are a club renowned for last minute winners with so many memorable ones to choose from, and one of those efforts were witnessed on this day 17 years ago in an Old Firm game (remember them?) against our biggest rivals Rangers in a game of huge significance regarding the destination of the title…

Scotland's Shame banner — ‘Scotland’s Shame’ banner posted at the Rangers support. Celtic 2 Rangers 1, 16 April 2008. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic Park was the setting on a pleasant mid-April evening, and deep into injury time with the game poised at 1-1 Gary Caldwell’s cross was nodded across goal by Scott McDonald and was duly met by the head of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink who placed the ball into the net to send Celtic Park into a state of euphoria.

Passions run high — Celtic 2 Rangers 1, 16 April 2008. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Nakamura scored a brilliant opener, Scott McDonald missed a penalty

Never tire of watching that incredible strike from Naka from whatever angle. 👑🇯🇵 https://t.co/rl9Ss9PzS7

— Matt Corr (@Boola_vogue) April 16, 2025

In a game that already delivered another high from a superb strike from Shunsuke Nakamura and a the low of conceding an equaliser just after the hour mark, then the delight of getting a spot kick, then the despair of seeing Scott McDonald fluff his lines with a poorly taken effort, it was an evening where we truly went through every emotion possible experiencing the incredible highs and despairing lows of watching football matches against our fiercest rivals.

Celtic celebrations — Celtic 2 Rangers 1, 16 April 2008. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Then deep into stoppage time with the title looking all but lost…

But deep in injury time we all felt that emotion of sheer joy and euphoria, the one that a last minute winner naturally does as we celebrated wildly in the stands and at home. It was a goal that not only won us the game on the night, but a goal of great importance come the end of the season when we won a closely contested title race on the last day of the season.

A huge, huge goal, and one that will live long in the memory.

16th April 2008, Celtic beat Rangers 2:1 to stay in the title race.

Naka and a last second winner from big Jan. @JanVofH pic.twitter.com/MNfN7M8w43

— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) April 15, 2025

Bonus footage from Bar 72 watching the game.😂 pic.twitter.com/FyfwnBYaLi

— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) April 15, 2025

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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