In more recent times, other players have suffered terrible first games. And sometimes it is more than one player who does so.
Celtic’s Roy Keane (C) is seen during the Scottish Cup 3rd round match against Clyde in Glasgow, 08 January 2006. Clyde won 2-1. (Photos GLENN CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Superstar Roy Keane’s falls in the Clyde
In 2006, Roy Keane moved to Celtic Park. Keane was renowned as one of the best midfielders in Europe, having dominated with Manchester United for many years.
His first game was surely a simple matter for the Bhoys, an away tie versus Clyde in the Scottish Cup. Also making his first Celtic appearance that day was Chinese defender Du Wei. Despite expectations of a comfortable win, it proved to be the exact opposite. Celtic lost 2-1 to the lower league Bully Wee, exiting the Scottish Cup and suffering a hugely embarrassing result.
Keane at least was given the chance to again play for the Bhoys. However, this proved to be the one Celtic memory for the Chinese internationalist.
It’s not just players that have often had terrible Celtic baptisms, some managers have suffered this experience too.
Artmedia Bratislava – Gordon Strachan
In 2005, Gordon Strachan was appointed as Celtic boss. He was replacing the hugely popular Martin O’Neill, who was especially renowned for European achievement. Strachan had a lot to live up to – and instead his first competitive match was a crushing 5-0 loss to Artmedia Bratislava.
Despite a second leg fightback, Celtic still exited the Champions League at the qualifying stage. Strachan did at least go to improve in future and twice took the Bhoys to the Last 16 of the Champions League.
Lincoln Red Imps – Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is another man whose success at Celtic is significant, not least delivering an Invincibles domestic season in 2016-17. However, that campaign started with a shocking loss.
Playing in another Champions League qualifier, Celtic faced Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps, a team which included a taxi driver and fireman. Despite this, the Bhoys fell to a 1-0 defeat, dubbed the ‘Shock of Gibraltar’ by some. At least the Celts overturned this in the second leg with a 3-0 win.
