1988: Mark McGhee (left) Frank McAvennie (second left) McNeil (seond right) and Roy Aitken (right) all of Celtic celebrate with the trophy after winning the Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 2-1. Photo Allsport UK /Allsport
We watched the team collect the famous old trophy and cheered in turn for each of the players. Alex turns to head towards the exits, but I stay still. I don’t move. I’m taking in each and every last second of this. I want to remember this for ever. I’m brought back into reality when I’m told, quite sharply (just as well the nuns had already left), that if we don’t get a move on, we’ll miss the supporters’ bus but I’m pretty sure Alex was looking to get a quick beer before we headed home.
I can’t remember the supporters’ bus journey home, or being picked up by my dad later that evening from Kirkintilloch. I only remember making sure the video recorder was set to capture the highlights when I got home. I was in my own wee Celtic world for hours on end. A day which had started on a downer, without a cup final ticket, had ended in a dramatic finale and memories that will last a lifetime.
On Monday, 14 May 2018 I took the day off work. It was the 30th anniversary of our Centenary year cup final triumph. I headed over to Hampden and inside to complete the museum and stadium tour before heading home. At 3.00pm, exactly 30 years to the minute, I pressed play on YouTube and watched the entire match all over again, as if it was live, and I was back at Hampden as a 15-year-old watching my heroes all over again.
And it was magic, again!
Robert Galbraith
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I mind it well… but I mind more the scary surge to get through the turnstyle’s before kick-off!!