TalkCeltic - The Ultimate Celtic FC Forum

As the curtain falls on Gordon Strachan’s tenure as Celtic manager, it is only fair to look back on his achievements and perceived failings with a sense of perspective.

Strachan joined Celtic four years ago, almost to the day. His career as Celtic manager got off to the worst possible start in Bratislava – a 5-0 defeat to an Artmedia team that beggared belief, and put him under immense pressure. The concession of four second half goals all but ended any hopes of further involvement in European Competition that season, but Strachan bounced back – winning a League and Cup double ensured that he was named as Scotland’s Sportswriter manager of the year.

This resurgence after such a horrendous start was testament...

It was the news that many had part-expected, but the resignation of Gordon Strachan this afternoon still came as a shock to Celtic fans across the world.

After the disappointment of Sunday, when all hopes and aspirations of 4 SPL titles in a row were crushed following a dreary draw against Hearts, Strachan clearly felt he had taken the Bhoys as far as he could.

While Strachan did not enjoy overwhelming support amongst the Celtic support, the record books establish a tenure as manager that is extremely enviable. Despite the shock elimination from the Champion’s League at the start of his reign – in a qualifier against minnows Artmedia Bratislava – Strachan’s first year in charge culminated in a League and Cup...

Celtic: Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, O’Dea; Nakamura, Hartley, Brown(Flood 82), McGeady; McDonald(Maloney 69), Samaras(Vennegoor 45). (Subs: M.Brown, Naylor, Conroy, Crosas)

Hearts: Kello; Neilson, Karipidis, Zaliukas (J.Stewart 80), Wallace; Mrowiec, Jonsson, Stewart, Templeton (Novikovas 53), Obua, Elliot (Nade 61)
Subs: Balogh, Tullberg, Thomson, Park



Celtic and Rangers entered today 2 points apart, with Rangers holding the advantage at the top after a slip up from Celtic last week against Hibernian. It was a nervy afternoon for both sets of supporters as they waited to see who would be crowned the SPL Champions. With both games kicking off simultaneously it was sure to be a heart wrenching end to a long, hard season.

Celtic needed Dundee Utd to take a point at least...

As SPL Champions Celtic kick off their final league game of the season against Hearts this coming Sunday, fans of the Bhoys will reflect upon 287 days of nail-biting tension. Emotions on day one of the season ran strong, as Rosemary Burns hoisted the 2007/2008 SPL Champions Flag over Celtic Park during the pre-match festivities. Her husband, the late Tommy Burns, will never be forgotten as a player, a manager, or a human being. It was a fitting, yet tragic tribute to a man who gave so much to the Club he loved.

Hibernian once again played the role of SPL party-poopers, as Celtic were held to a 0-0 draw at Easter Road on Sunday and threw away a great opportunity.

The game presented the chance for The Bhoys to go back to the top of the table for the final day, after Rangers 2-1 win over Aberdeen the previous day.

Celtic, however, could not seize the 3 points available and the title is now one win away from heading to Ibrox for the first time in Gordon Strachan's reign.

Celtic were...