During my lifetime as a Celtic supporter I have witnessed a lot of success. The best of that success, in my opinion, has undoubtedly been in the first decade of the new century.
Between 2000 and 2010 we amassed 14 honours not to mention reaching a European final while witnessing many wonderful champions league nights. And 13 of those honours were won by two managers, Martin O’Neill and of course Gordon Strachan. Seven by Gordon and six by Martin.
In my own humble opinion Martin O’Neill’s tenure was hands down the best era in my Celtic supporting life, and I guess it will be the same with most supporters who didn’t have the privilege to witness the years of the Lisbon Lions
When Martin joined Celtic we were in a bit of a crossroads and Rangers as they had been throughout the 1990s were the best side in the country. Martin called them ‘the benchmark’ He didn’t hang around and quickly put his stamp down and aided with generous funds he quickly signed quality players in Chris Sutton, and Joos Valgaeren.
He already had the nucleus of a good side with terrific players in Henrik larsson, Lubo Moravcik, Paul lambert Jackie McNamara Johan Mjallby and Stiliyan Petrov and he gelled them together with his new players and made a quality side, he would eventually add more quality to the squad with Alan Thompson, Neil Lennon, Rab Douglas, and Ramon Vega joining. He also proved he had an eye for a bargain by adding the brilliant Didier Agathe.
We of course swept all before us and won a treble, our first in over 30 years. Making us the top side in the country once again. We were now the benchmark. Martin had built a wonderful side. His man management was second to none. He would of course go on to add more talent in John Hartson and Bobo Balde amongst others. We won more titles and cups, we had success in Europe competing in the champions league and of course reached the UEFA cup final in seville in 2003.
It was a wonderful time to be a Celtic supporter, we had genuine world class talent and we had some wonderful memories as we cemented our place as a decent European side who were feared by top sides in the continent. I Especially at Celtic park which was a fortress on European nights.
Sure there was some bad times, but the good times more than outweighed them. When Martin left in 2005 it was a sad day, but all good things must come to an end and he left with guaranteed legendary status. He was regarded and still is by many as the best Celtic manager since Jock Stein. High praise indeed.
Martin O’Neill shoes were big ones to fill and the next man would have to be mentally tough as well as talented to succeed the Irishman. That man was Gordon Strachan and he did just that. He was just as successful. Statistically better. Although it sometimes feels he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.
Seven trophies in four years. Twice qualifying for the last 16 of the champions league, something his predecessor failed to do. Wonderful and memorable European wins over Man Utd and AC Milan. Add Spartak Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk to that list, nights no one will forget.
To think his reign started with a thumping but freak 5-0 defeat to Artmedia Bratislava. Despite gaining some pride with a 4-0 win at Celtic park in the return leg, we were out of Europe altogether. Some supporters were already calling for his head, despite just a couple of games in charge. It showed the strength of the man that he overcame such a tough obstacle at the start of his Celtic career. Lesser men would have broke.
Even more amazingly he done it on a smaller budget than Martin O’Neill. He had an eye for a player as the signings of Artur Boruc, Shunsuke Nakamura, and Maciej Zurawski proved. More were to follow in Scott McDonald Lee Naylor and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Later on he proved his shrewdness once more by signing Paul Hartley, Barry Robson and Georgios Samaras, all three would prove to be influential signings. He was of course the man who signed Scott Brown.
Gordon was one of the most successful coaches in our history, we have a lot to thank him for. I for one appreciate the success he gave us, but you get the feeling he wasn’t and still isn’t appreciated by a section of the support. Goodness knows why, he worked wonders at the club and gave us some brilliant memories.
There is now and again comparisons made between Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, I think that’s unfair. Both had different styles of management, but both were as equally successful.
My opinion is that martin’s time was better, but that doesn’t mean I can’t praise Gordon’s time at the club, his reign was also a magnificent time. We were lucky to have both manage our football club. History will look back on them with great kindness. Both club legends. Two of the best.
JustAnOrdinaryBhoy – follow on Twitter @ordinarybhoy
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Spot on about GS and i genuinely believe the animosity shown to him and his appointment in general was he wasn’t a popular figure with the Celtic fans because of his Aberdeen playing days but he won us round and a massive point is that rangers ebt scheme was probably at its most prevalent in his time so not only were we winning we were beating a team who were cheating. You see him now you can tell he loves the Celtic and we will never forget how he steered the club during the extremely emotional time of Tommy Burns’s passing and winning us the league under such a tough time with a relatively young squad.