Gordon Strachan would not have been the number one choice of many Celtic supporters to succeed Martin O’Neill in summer 2005. Indeed, there was an element of disbelief. There were those who still disliked him from his Aberdeen days.

Roy Keane , manager Gordon Strachan and Chief Executive Peter Lawwell attend a press conference to announce Keane’s signing for Celtic on December 15, 2005. (Photo by Alan Peebles/Getty Images)

On at least two occasions when playing for Aberdeen, he was attacked by a Celtic fan. No-one can, of course, such hooliganism by a mentally challenged individual, but the fact remains that he was not liked for his exaggeration of injuries, his incitement of the crowd and his general mouthing about anything and nothing.

Those who opposed his appointment said “I told you so” when the team went down to Artmedia Bratislava in his first game and again when they lost to Clyde in his first game in the Scottish Cup, but by the time we won the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish League in spring 2006, he was beginning to win them round.

Tommy Gravesen with Gordon Strachan. Photo: imago/IPA Photo

He was Manager for four years and he won the League three seasons out of four (2008 was breathtaking resurrection after having seemed to be entirely out of it at the beginning of April), the Scottish Cup once, and the Scottish League Cup twice.

That is not a bad record, and he also had some great moments in Europe, beating Manchester United, Benfica, Shakhtar Donetsk and AC Milan, and he brought great players like Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott Brown to the club.

Artur Boruc of Celtic shakes hand with Gordon Strachan at the final whistle of the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and AC Milan at Celtic Park October 3, 2007. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

2009 was a disappointment with only the League Cup being won, and the fans turned on him when the League, which had seemed to be well within his grasp, was given away. Many of us felt that he was worth at least another year (three out of four League titles was not bad), but he possibly paid the penalty for his abrasiveness and tendency to upset too many people.

He was always kind to fans (particularly youngsters) but one feels that there were one or two in high places who tired of his constant apparently flippant attitude to life. And to an extent, he paid the price for the way he behave in his playing career.

Gavin Strachan. Photo for The Celtic Star by Vagelis Georgariou

He did know the game, though, is still sympathetic to Celtic, and of course his son Gavin is on the Celtic payroll.

David Potter

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!

The Celtic Star’s book promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!