The Saturday after the defeat by Honved in Budapest saw Aberdeen as the visitors to Celtic Park. The Dons featured another former Hoops superkid in their line-up for the first time at Parkhead, Charlie Nicholas having joined them the previous January, following his underwhelming spell at Arsenal.
I have to confess that my view is tinged with jealousy, as I had been a huge fan of the player in his first spell at the club and was gutted when he left just as I thought we finally had the makings of a side who could do something in Europe after all those years. He received the expected abuse from the majority of the 38,000 crowd as he appeared at his former home, wearing number 7 in an unfamiliar all-red kit.
Billy again made only one change to his starting eleven, former Pittodrie star Joe Miller replacing Peter Grant in a more offensive-looking line-up. The disappointing start to the defence of the title continued as the Champions found themselves two goals down with barely half an hour on the clock.
And there was a Groundhog Day-feel as two long throws from Dons left-back David Robertson from an identical position in front of the Jungle were both met by the head of Mick McCarthy on the penalty spot. His first clearance was returned with interest by Aberdeen midfielder, Brian Grant, whose low drive found the corner of the Celtic net. Two minutes later, McCarthy’s header was controlled on the edge of the box by Jim Bett, the Scotland man too clever for Anton Rogan as he drew the lunge and subsequent penalty award, dusting himself down to beat Andrews at his post for 2-0.
Seconds before the interval, there was hope in our hearts again, Theo Snelders’ trip on Frank McAvennie allowing Miller to send the Dutchman the wrong way from the spot. However, the deciding moment came on the hour mark, Stewart McKimmie’s teasing cross from the right bulleted past Andrews by the diving head of Davie Dodds, a regular scourge to Celtic sides over the years. Three defeats from just five League games.
That would become four from six the following Saturday at Dens Park, and to rub salt in the wounds, the only goal was scored by Celtic-daft Dundee striker, Tommy Coyne, just before the half-hour. Last season’s top scorer with 37 goals had failed to hit the net so far that season, whilst his club had yet to register a win. Celtic would provide the answer to both problems in front of 15,000 on Tayside, as Alan Rough replaced Ian Andrews in the visiting goal for his League debut. Not that Coyne knew too much about it, a Keith Wright cross deflecting off his leg past the Celtic keeper. When you’re down, you’re down. Lex Baillie had replaced Mick McCarthy in the only other change from the Aberdeen defeat.
The final game of an awful month took place at Celtic Park on Wednesday, 28 September 1988, with bottom-dogs Motherwell the latest club to try their luck against the struggling Champions. The disillusionment within the Celtic support was perhaps reflected in a poorish turnout of around 20,000, as youngsters John Traynor and Owen Archdeacon, the former making his first start in the Hoops, came in for Derek Whyte and Joe Miller.
Andy Walker gave the Bhoys a most-welcome lead after 15 minutes against his old club, before the malaise which had been affecting the defence for several weeks struck once again, Steve Kirk gifted a soft equaliser. Just minutes later, Roy Aitken’s powerful run and left-wing cross enabled Frank McAvennie to restore the lead with a fine header and the hitman made it 3-1 with fifteen minutes remaining, this time beating Cammy Duncan with a low shot.
The three points would provide some respite for McNeill’s men after a difficult run of results, however, the next fixture would again test their mettle, October opening with a tricky visit to Easter Road.
Hail Hail,
Matt Corr
Follow Matt on Twitter @Boola_vogue
Thanks and credit as always to the folk behind the wonderful Celtic Wiki, an invaluable resource for Celtic historians.
ALSO FROM MATT CORR ON THE CELTIC STAR…
That corridor between the Boardroom and the Tunnel at Celtic Park
