On this day 1996 Celtic took on Hearts at Celtic Park in league action, and as ever it was vital we earned all three points in a bid to keep our title hopes alive…
The Jambos who tasted defeat in the League Cup final at the home of the Hoops just a week earlier boasted a decent side, managed by Jim Jeffries, and would prove a tough obstacle to overcome.
I was at this game, and can recall it vividly. Colin Cameron gave the visitors the lead in the 31st minute, with Brian O’Neil levelling for Celtic shortly before half time in what was a frantic game of football.
The second half saw Celtic go all out for the win, but were sucker punched in the 64th minute when Neil McCann fired the visitors back into the lead, to silence the huge home support.
The thing that stands out about this game for me, and most who can recall it, is the incident that summed up the genius and maverick that was Paolo Di Canio.
Di Canio himself won a spot kick after being brought down in the box on the 75th minute, and got up and composed himself to expertly place the ball past Gilles Rousset in the Hearts goal to send Celtic Park into a frenzy as we dreamt of a winner in the remaining quarter of the game.
Our hopes however were dashed in an instant as the madcap Italian blew his fuse after letting his temperament get the better of him as he retrieved the ball from the back of the net, getting involved in a few altercations with those in Maroon shirts.
Already on a booking, the man in the middle Stuart Dougal was all too happy to brandish the red card to the dynamic Italian, who was our most creative outlet, and best hope of getting a winner.
30th November 1996, Celtic 2:2 Hearts.
O’Neil and Di Canio. @brianoneil1972
Crazy. pic.twitter.com/hbO5aDSnMD
— Celtic GIFs (@CelticGIFs) November 30, 2025
Di Canio left the park still remonstrating whilst displaying that volatile Italian passion, ranting and kissing his badge. We loved him, but if he cared about the side he would have kept his cool, and used his passion in a positive way by staying on the park and winning us the game.
The game would finish a 2-2 stalemate, and that sixty minute frenzy summed up Paolo’s time at the club. Capable of moments of absolute genius, but a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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