Didier Agathe referred back to his own time playing for Celtic and in particular the highs and lows that the result one way or the other in the Glasgow Derby inevitably brings. His debut in what was then still the Old Firm (RIP) game didn’t go too well – Celtic lost 5-1 at Ibrox having won the first game against the then Champions 6-2 at Paradise.
By the time Celtic had to go back to Ibrox later in that season, in late April, the league had already been won and the players were determined to get a victory over the fallen Champions to send out a message for the next season. Two goals from Lubo Moravcik twenty years ago yesterday and the fiftieth of a remarkable season for Henrik Larsson gave the Celtic players a joyous day at the home of their greatest rivals (RIP).
Agathe admitted to having watched that game back recently, marvelling at the magnificent skills of the man the Celtic fans reckoned was a ‘Gift from God’ but another striking thing was the quality of player in the (remember they were tax cheating) Rangers side that Celtic beat 3-0 that day.
“Who could forget Lubo that day? He is a very good friend of mine and we still talk about our time together at Celtic and that was one of the special moments he gave to the club
“He scored two goals that day but the second one was really special. That turn in the box was incredible, he sent the entire Rangers defence the wrong direction. It was incredible, but that was Lubo,” Agathe recalls in his interview with Daily Record. “The league title was ours that season and there was not the same pressure going to face Rangers. But we were still determined to go out and win, especially as we had lost 5-1 there earlier in the season.
“That was my Old Firm (RIP) debut – I know which one I enjoyed more! It was crazy as Celtic had beaten Rangers 6-2 in the first game of the season and it just showed that anything could happen in these matches.”
Agathe turned his attention to the game this Sunday, and with the Scottish Premiership already decided the pressure in that regard is off. But both sides have plenty to play for, theRangers with their first ever title and indeed first ever major trophy in the back are looking to go through the league campaign undefeated.
Celtic are looking for their first win of the season after being well beaten in the first match at Celtic Park last October before being the better side on the next two games – with only one draw to show for it – before the Scottish Cup match when Celtic had plenty of chances to win the game, but failed miserably in front of goal.
It’s also Scott Brown’s last Glasgow Derby and he’ll want to go out on a high. Others will be leaving the club, players who wanted away last summer but were retained to deliver the Ten, the loan players, few of whom are likely to play on Sunday (only Moi Elyounoussi is likely to start) and there many be one or two who find that their contracts aren’t extended and will therefore be playing their football elsewhere next season. Who knows?
But for Agathe players moving on is all part of the game. It’s what they do on Sunday while they are still wearing the green and white Hoops that matters for now. “If players are looking to leave then that is okay. It’s part of the game, Agathe stated. “But they also have to realise they are playing for an institution, a historic club, and this is a fixture that means so much to the fans.
“There might not be a title on the line but there is still pride in the club and I would hope they would want to go out and win it for the supporters. It might not matter in terms of the league but it always matters when you are playing in the derby. It can remind (the)Rangers that Celtic are still here and they will come back again.
“There will be a lot of changes but it’s not always about spending lots of money. It’s not about buying the most expensive players – it’s about signing the right players.
“I look at our team. I did not cost much money when I came from Hibs – not as much as Chris Sutton! But we all played our part in that team and there were not many changes over the next few years.
“Every summer Rangers would go and spend a lot of money but we had a good group of players who loved representing Celtic.
“(the)Rangers might be strong right now but if the new manager can sign some players and get the best out of the ones who are at the club then there’s no doubt Celtic will be competing for the title again soon.”
David Potter’s new book Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle is available to pre-order now. It’s out shortly…
