On This Day in 2000, Martin O’Neill’s Celtic got off to the best possible start with a win at Tannadice over Dundee United. The Irishman arrived from Leicester City tasked with wrestling control back from Rangers. The club bankrolled O’Neill and helped him bring new signings in to bolster the squad that was already there.
The King of Kings opened the scoring with a cultured, first time effort into the back of the net. The ball broke kindly to the Swede after a run from £6m signing Chris Sutton allowing Henke to bend the ball around the keeper. Celtic were dominant but only had a slender 1-0 to show for it at half-time.
The second half began and United, playing in Green, scored through McCracken. Although, it was Sutton who sealed the win for Celtic as the ex-Chelsea striker popped up at the back post to make an impact on his debut.
It was a statement victory from Celtic as they navigated a difficult away fixture as the O’Neill era began with a win. It would be the beginning of a magical season.
Celtic: Gould, Stubbs, Valgaeren, Boyd, Mahe, McNamara, Lambert, Berkovic (Johnson 64), Petrov, Larsson, Sutton.
Subs Not Used: Kerr, Petta, Tebily, Burchill.
Goals: Larsson 37, Sutton 66.
Also On This Day:
2019 – Nomme Kalju 0 Celtic 2
Leigh Griffiths forced an own-goal from a Mikey Johnston cross before Marian Shved doubled the lead.
1991 – Arsenal 2 Celtic 2
Celtic in a testimonial for Paul Davis. Nicholas and Wdowczyk with our goals.