Tom Rogic’s last minute winner beats the rest

A recent post by a Celtic account on social media was asking Celtic supporters what their favourite last minute winner was. There are of course numerous cases to claim that accolade, as throughout the years our football club has been synonymous with last gasp winners. It’s ingrained in our illustrious history.

My own personal experiences stretch back to the Centenary year when we snatched victory right at the death on more than a few occasions. The famous victory against Hearts in the Scottish cup semi final when we did it not once but twice when Andy Walker’s brace sent us to the Scottish cup final in one of the most dramatic Hampden games of all time.

The final of that year was just as dramatic as Frank McAvennie grabbed a late double against Dundee United to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, his winner of course coming right at the death to secure a dream double in our Centenary year.

There was also the unforgettable game against Dundee United also in a Scottish Cup tie in 1996, where two last minute goals by Pierre Van Hoojidonk and Andy Thom secured a victory over the Arabs once again in a game we looked down and out.

Shunsuke Nakamura’s title winning free kick winner at Rugby park in 2007 is also up there, as is Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s injury time winner against Rangers in 2008, a goal that was vital in our title win that year.

For me though the best last minute winner I’ve witnessed is Tom Rogic’s goal that clinched the invincible treble against Aberdeen in 2017. Not only was it a wonderful goal it was a goal that clinched history. Winning the treble undefeated will go down as one of the greatest achievements in the clubs history.

The setting, and the prize at the end made it a fairytale goal. Those of us who witnessed it were very lucky indeed. It will be talked about for years and years to come. Legendary. Truly Invincible, incidentally Matt Corr’s book on that season published by Celtic Star Books, is an outstanding read, highly recommended.