Dermot Desmond’s legacy, Ange’s Bhoys sparkle in Paradise

The entire footballing world appeared to have been watching

The relevance of the run of games without a win that Celtic suffered against theRangers was pretty much irrelevant to that wonderful Celtic side last night, only two of whom were actually at the club last season. Remarkably Neil Lennon was claiming before the game that that the Celtic support will now regret protesting to get him out the door – really?

A big thank you to Eddie Howe, who played his part in the helping us begin this wonderful journey we are now on with Ange Postecoglou. Earlier in the season I was calling him ‘The Australian Stein’ and was getting some stick for that, ‘way too soon’ etc. Maybe now is the time to consider that he’s looking like the best manager that Celtic has had since Stein? What a job he has done!

That was the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in 50 years watching Celtic, and the best ever You’ll Never Walk Alone I’ve ever heard us sing. Credit where it is due to The Celtic DJ whose timing and choice of tunes all night was superb, right to and including the Wim Jansen ‘Roll With It” tribute after the match. Ball balls, sensational.

At the game at the weekend we were discussing the legacy that Dermot Desmond will leave when down the line his part in the Celtic story is recorded and reviewed. Fergus McCann came in and his lasting legacy was that wonderful stadium which had one of its best ever nights last night in front of a global audience.

Dermot Desmond can say he steadied the ship, maybe credit will be given for Lennoxtown, for funding Martin O’Neill, maybe keeping Henrik Larsson at the club and even bringing in Ange when all else had failed. However he could secure his own legacy by completing the stadium that Fergus built by re-developing the Main Stand (long overdue and reaching the end of its shelf life anyway). An 80,000 capacity Paradise, what a legacy that would be for the Irish Billionaire.  Wee Fergus was no billionaire but that never stopped him!

Anyway here’s the reaction from last night that caught my eye…

“An absolute pumping but nothing won yet. Celtic have come so far under Ange Postecoglou but need to carry on being relentless. Hatate, O’Riley and Juranovic absolutely outstanding and massive balls from Callum McGregor. Really liked Giakoumakis tonight as well,” Chris Sutton.

“3-0 Celtic. What a win…Celtic go 1 point clear at the top with 14 games to go….what a race it’s going to be..and after finishing 25points behind (the)Rangers last season wow,what a turn around,” Mark Bosnich, former Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Socceroos goalkeeper.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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