Celtic vs Wolves.

Mick McCarthy
Posted on: Wed 27 Jul 2011
It is now almost two-and-a-half decades since Mick McCarthy turned out for the Scottish giants of Glasgow Celtic.
Little wonder than that speaking at this week's press conference ahead of tonight's friendly match, some of the more specific details of his time North of the Border have faded with time.
But he still remembers more than enough of his successful two years in Scotland to describe Celtic as a "special" club, and one which provided so many wonderful memories.
It probably didn't seem that way on the day that he travelled up with wife Fiona to talk terms over the switch back in May, 1987.
Because on initial inspection, it appeared he had actually managed to find a place which was wetter than Manchester!
In his book, 'Captain Fantastic' published in 1990, Mick wrote: "I was at Manchester City at the time, and Fiona and I drove up from our home in Wilmslow to Glasgow to talk over personal terms.
"I'll never forget that journey.
"It rained most of the way and having left the leafy avenues of Wilmslow I wondered if I was making the right decision.
"But one look around Parkhead - the history of the place, the plans that manager David Hay had for the coming season and the feeling for the club in Glasgow - and I knew I just had to sign."
Sign he did, for £500,000, and even though Hay had lost his job by the time the 28-year-old defender started his first full season, his replacement with Billy McNeill, under whom Mick had played at Manchester City.
A torn stomach muscle during pre-season delayed the McCarthy debut in Celtic colours and, when it came, it was a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Cup.
The next game, a Scottish Premier League debut, wasn't much better as Mick found himself "completely knackered" ten minutes after half time and was ultimately substituted against Hibernian.
But that was to prove a rare blip during two seasons in which the current Wolves boss and his new team tasted plenty of success, particularly courtesy of a league and cup double in that 1987/88 campaign.
The league title had already been secured before the Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United, and after coming back from a goal down to win 2-1, those Celtic celebrations lived long in the memory for their erstwhile centre back.
"Hampden went wild - wonderful scenes," Mick recalled.
"I had never experienced such emotion, such love for a club.
"I had experienced a little success south of the border in my promotion years with Barnsley and Manchester City, but now I was at Hampden getting a real winner's medal and holding the Scottish Cup with the lads.
"I was a double winner."
Mick was certainly given a first hand view of the intense Glasgow rivalries between Celtic and Rangers during his time at the club.
Not only was he on the pitch for the infamous battle of October, 1987, when three players were sent off prompting a legal inquiry, Mick and team-mate Peter Grant were once sat in the directors box at Ibrox for a game they were unavailable for.
And jumped up to celebrate Celtic's opening goal!
They did survive to tell the tale, and indeed the two close friends were usually of more risk to each other such was their intense level of competitiveness.
"Nobody could understand my relationship with Peter," Mick wrote.
"We argued at training sessions, argued so much that we almost came to blows most of the time.
"We chased each other around the training pitch just to tackle each other.
"But that was because we were so much alike - a pair of lads who have this hard exterior but are actually a pair of softies.
"We roomed together when we travelled and were the best of mates.
"But everybody at Celtic played their part in making the club what it was."
And that spirit helped bring more success to Parkhead in Mick's second - and final - season.
Not the league this time - that went to Rangers - but once again the Scottish Cup against their fierce rivals.
The semi final victory against Hibernian, in which he found the net, is regarded by Mick as one of his best games in a Celtic shirt, and victory in the final then sealed more silverware for the green and white half of Glasgow.
A fitting way to finish for Mick prior to moving to France to join Lyon, and a two-year experience which he knew he would never forget.
"I enjoyed my career at every club I played for, but Celtic was something special because of the success I was a part of," he wrote.
"There was also a great spirit among the players, a great feeling of camaraderie.
"And the fans loved us, they loved Parkhead, and anything at all to do with Celtic.
"I remember games when we went behind and up to 30,000 fans would start singing 'You'll never walk alone' which would lift you.
"That's another special experience I'll never forget.
"If you put on that green and white hooped shirt you are immediately an idol, placed on a pedestal."

 

http://vipbox.tv/sports/football.html all the links for celtic games are here they will be showing tonights game also they will be showing these

Celtic V Inter
Celtic V Ireland
Celtic Legends V's Man utd legends ( Cant wait to see Larsson back in Celtic colours xD)
Swansea V Celtic

i am going for a 3-0 celtic win tonight

 

http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1325

All 3 trialists playing.

 

I wouldn't mate unless your coming off it at the shettleston and bailliston cutoff but its 6 and a half dozen to be honest.

 

http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1325

 

Excellent, heres hoping they impress & sign all 3 !

 

agreed. great news.

 

Hope Mphela impresses, looking forward to seeing him

 

3 trialists playing, should be interesting.

 

Trialists Set To Face Wolves

Pletikosa, Mphela and Lacny are all set to play against Wolves tonight Buzzing.

Thought I'd make a thread to comment bout how they get on!

http://celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1325

 

Great thread mate. Cannot wait. 2:45 pm my time I think. Good thing I get out at 1 30

 

Good luck to them.

 

Give me a wave guys lisbon lions stand section 114 \o/

 

Really looking forward to seeing Mphela, wonder who will partner him upfront for this

 

i think lacny could surprise a few people

 

Lacny probably.

 

I can't find my ticket.

 

thats excellent news, will be good to run the rule over these 3 tonight and see what we have on offer. if i mind right that mphela's no too bad can remember being impressed by him at the world cup.

hopefully wanyama starts as well im desperate to see him in action

 

Would like to see Hooper start with Mphela and then Stokes and Lacny play the second half. Stick Samaras on the wing to give him a game.