Celtic Truly Are A Grand Old Team To Play For

[Martin]

When Feyenoord defeated Celtic in their only European Cup triumph in 1970 their Dutch international defender Wim Jansen could have no idea that some 28 years later, in his one season as Celtic manager, he would earn himself a place in Celtic folklore by winning the Premier League and halting arch rivals Rangers quest to win ten championships in a row.

As the then Premier League ended, along with Rangers ten in a row aspirations, a new rebranded SPL was formed and ten years on Celtic still find themselves at the top of the pile, as reigning champions, and as the SPL’s most successful club.

Statistic’s released this week make for interesting reading with Celtic having won six of the ten SPL championship’s contested, three apiece for both Martin O’Neill and his successor Gordon Strachan.

Of the 376 games played by each club Celtic again come out on top with 280 victories to Rangers 256. Celtic amassing an impressive 891 points in the ten year period.

In terms of goal scoring Celtic are well ahead of Rangers with 888 goals compared to Rangers 799. Defensive records are tighter with Celtic conceding 303 goals and Rangers 305. In summary Celtic have proven themselves more prolific in attack and more steady in defence. Interestingly the third tightest defence belongs to Heart who have conceded 450 goals – almost 50% more than either Glasgow club.

The top scorer in the ten year history of the SPL is predictably Henrik Larsson with 158 goals, which includes a staggering 12 hat-tricks. There can be no doubt that he is the best player in SPL history. Other notable mentions must include John Hartson with 88 SPL goals, Chris Sutton with 63 and Stan Petrov with an impressive 55 from midfield. Last season’s top scorer Scott McDonald has 67 to his name, including 25 in his debut season with the Hoops, and the remainder being scored while playing for Motherwell. Incredibly in 8 of the 10 seasons a Celtic player has finished top scorer in the league – Henrik Larsson 5 times and Hartson, McDonald and Mark Viduka with one each. Clearly Celtic’s reputation for attacking football still stands strong today. As if further evidence is required on new fewer than 8 occasions a Celtic player has been crowned Scottish Professional Footballer’s Association Player of the Year – Larsson (twice), Viduka, Hartson, Sutton, Maloney, Nakamura and McGeady being the deserved winners of the personal accolade.

What the next ten years will bring remains to be seen but what seems certain is that Celtic will continue with their traditional brand of positive football showing the world that Glasgow Celtic truly are a grand old team to play for.

[tim park]

great read there martin

[celticmad117]

wonderfully written martin,

[Martin]

Thanks lads.

I'm sorry they haven't been up sooner. I'm out working during the day and can't get stuck in until I'm home. Once this particular job ends I'll be working at home and I'll be quicker to get them online.

If any of you hear anything juicy you could let me, Ellboy, Champs or Celtic At H3art know and we can get it on the home page as quickly as possible.

Pauloantony that goes for you too.

[The Doctor]

Excellent piece Martin.

Celtic are the daddies of the SPL.

[Paul67]

Aye, well done mate, great article.

[zmcfczm]

Great article there mate, really show's how well we've done in the last decade...

[ellboy]

Brilliant story Martin.


10 years of SPL dominance here’s to 10 more.

[celtic_claire]

Great read. It just makes you realise how impressive Celtic have been when you see the stats. Looking forward to another 10 years of it!

[Dempsey]

Interesting that we have 888 goals after 10 years, can we slip a 1 in there?

[david_trezeguet]

one wim jansen!! i love reading stuff like this very very good read and well put. just to add some more salt into the rangers wounds. Celtic also hold the records for most points won in a season – 103 in 2001/02 – and most goals scored in a season – 105 in 2003/04. plus a guy thats missing derek riordan has scored 59 goals in the spl and yet people on this site still give him a hard time riordan must stay!! and play him where he belongs up front not on the wing!

Just think if wee had that little luck wee could have been going for 9 in a row this season if wee hadent lost them 2 leagues on the last day of the season

dont show us the decade before season 1998

[HOOPBHOY ' 67]

great read , thanks

[hoopymo]

good read mate!