My defining Celtic moment – the Scottish Cup final of 1988

I remember watching the highlights later that night. I must have watched them a hundred times and could just about repeat the entire commentary, from Archie MacPherson’s opening lines of “Celtic, in their Centenary year. Dundee United, 21 years younger, almost an infant by comparison.”

We’re underway, with deep breaths, fingers crossed, and prayers silently offered for a successful outcome for the Hoops. Celtic survived an early scare with Paul McStay clearing a header off the goal line. Joe Miller was looking lively but failed to connect with a back post cross and his weak header was easily cleared despite a wee bit of a scramble and you could hear, and feel, the tension in the air as the fans hoped for the opening goal. The first half ended with very few clear chances but despite the 0-0 score line it was a keenly contested match.

The highlight of the first half was my Uncle Alex’s regular requirement to ask for forgiveness from the fans in front of us. As usual, Alex was shouting and encouraging the team and occasionally the odd swear word would slip in here and there and he felt the need to apologise to the three nuns in front of us on the terrace with each and every blasphemy. “I’m really sorry, God forgive me.” I don’t think the nuns were too bothered. They were giving out plenty “encouragement” themselves to their green and white favourites!

The second half started with the Celts shooting towards the East Terrace, a sea of green and white (as most of Hampden was that day) with around 60,000 Celtic supporters in the 74,000 crowd. The fans also gave British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher a wee shout out as the second half got underway. Both sets of supporters joined in unison to tell Maggie, how should I say this, where to go!