Celtic's Player of The Year Event

[Hammer]

Cheers & Tears on a Night of Celebration

Emotions ran high last night at Celtic's annual Gala celebration Player of the year event held at the Glasgow Hilton.

The big winner of the evening was Celtics mercurial wing magician Aiden McGeady, who can now add the title of Player's Player of The Year and Player of The Year to the other many accolades the young man has already picked up on a dazzling career best season.

Scott McDonald picked up Goalscorer of the Year with a superb 31 goals in what can only be described as a magnificent first season in his beloved hoops. Paul Caddis, the young full back full of promise, landed Young Player of The Year with a number of composed and mature displays which he will hope will stake him a claim for a place in next season’s first team.

The next big winner was Shunsuke Nakamura with his stunning long range effort against Rangers at Parkhead deservedly picking up The Goal of The Season award. The Japanese playmakers shot was picked not only for its significance but the technique, pace, dip and swerve the shot had from all of 30+ yards to beat Allan McGregor.

On a night full of joyous celebration, with entertainment being provided by singer Eddi Reader, there were a couple of more poignant moments for those in attendance with special tributes to Celtics lost sons. Members of Phil O'Donnell's family were presented with a Special Recognition Award in remembrance of the life of the tragic midfielder before a moving video montage of the life of 'Mr Celtic' Tommy Burns was shown.

With one of Burns' very own protégé’s in McGeady picking up the Player of The Year award during the final presentation, the night was topped off in a very fitting way. Tommy Burns’s legacy clearly lives on for all to see and the amassed crowds in attendance went home to digest what was a very emotionally charged night for all of Celtic Football Club.