Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been taking a walk down memory lane, commenting on clips of special moments in the club’s past – specifically during the Paul McStay era.
McStay is an icon of the Bhoys and for those of a certain vintage the quintessential Celtic player. For someone like Rodgers, the midfielder typified what the club was all about.
Speaking over clips such as the Love Street title win and McStay’s famous goal against Koln in Europe on the club’s official YouTube channel, Rodgers talks up the qualities of the former captain.
But it seems the Celtic team Rodgers identifies most with is the 1987/88 Centenary double-winning side, with the Bhoys boss declaring that year’s kit as his favourite of all time.
Brendan Rodgers recalls fond Celtic memories
He said: “The cup final, a special time. You can see what it meant to Billy McNeill. I always look at this here, this was my favourite Celtic strip of all time. I loved the badge, the crest, and there was a little diamondy effect there. It was an amazing, amazing final.
“There are memories of growing up, being taken into the pubs to watch these games and the tension in these pubs because it was the only way we could see it – to get that sense of celebration and joy and Celtic winning.”
Rodgers also goes on to talk up the importance of the 1995 Scottish Cup Final win over Airdrie which resulted in McStay and the late, great Tommy Burns lifting a trophy after six barren years without silverware.
That 1995 final is one I personally cherish. It is the first trophy I remember Celtic winning and if I close my eyes I can vividly see Pierre van Hooijdonk’s towering header from Tosh McKinlay’s superb cross.
That was towards the end of the McStay era but even I got the sense of what an extraordinary player and captain he was. He remains one of my all-time Celtic heroes, too.
Although we all cherish and enjoy Celtic in its current iteration, there’s something special about recalling the days of first falling in love with the club, even if there weren’t as many trophies back then as there are now.
