Since 2010, Celtic have won 8 league trophies, 5 Scottish Cups and 5 League Cups in what will be referred back to in history as the ‘Decade of Dominance’. With lots of glorious memories over the last 10 years, at A Celtic State of Mind we have decided to pull together an awards ceremony highlighting some of the best and worst of the last 10 years of Celtic.
Over the next few weeks we will be posting a new daily poll and article looking for you to vote on your favourite goal, game, jersey, player and much more as we celebrate the Decade of Dominance.
To start us off, we’re looking for your favourite goal since 2010. With hundreds of goals during that time, it was very hard to narrow it down, and therefore we have 3 semi-finals, with the top goal going forward to the final where we will put these 3 up against a goal which we may have missed out, going on the feedback from you!
So far, our polls have been topped by…
1. Tony Watt against Barcelona on 7 November 2012:
2. Tom Rogic against Aberdeen on 27 May 2017:
Today, we have the latest poll, with history-making goals in cup finals, strikes from long range and incredible team goals.
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Goal 1 – Odsonne Edouard v Hearts
Neil Lennon’s return to the hotseat at Celtic Park came at a time when the club had been thrown into turmoil thanks to the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers and most of his backroom team to Leicester City.
After scoring the winner in Lennon’s first game at Tynecastle, Odsonne Edouard was pivotal as Celtic closed in on the Treble Treble. After securing the title win with a 3-0 victory at Aberdeen, Celtic lined up once again at Hampden Park, looking to secure an unlikely Treble for the third season in a row.
On the famous day of the 25 May, Celtic fell behind to a 52nd-minute goal from Ryan Edwards, who slipped the ball under Scott Bain.
10 minutes later, Celtic won a penalty when Odsonne Edouard was brought down by Zlamal, with the Frenchman converting the penalty himself.
Then with extra-time looming, a headed clearance by Mikael Lustig found Odsonne Edouard in an abundance of space. Closing down on goal, Edouard was met by Zlamal, but the Frenchman lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
An unlikely Treble was now complete and one of Mikael Lustig’s last contributions in the green and white was to assist in a history-making goal!
Goal 2 – Georgios Samaras v Spartak Moscow
Over the years since the Champions League was introduced as a development of the old European Cup, Celtic had some special moments, but most of them have taken place under the lights at Celtic Park.
From beating Juventus under Martin O’Neill to qualifying for the last 16 under Gordon Strachan, Celtic fans have enjoyed plenty of great moments at home.
Away from home was a bit of a different story, as Celtic picked up the odd point here and there. In fact, as of 2012, they had never won away from home in the Champions League group stages. That was the case until 2 October 2012…
In what was lined up as a difficult tie away in Moscow, Celtic started brightly and, after 12 minutes, were in front thanks to Gary Hooper.
Spartak striker Emenike scored twice just either side of half-time to give the home side the lead and, once again, it looked like the same old sad story for Celtic away from home in Europe.
And then came the moment that changed the complexion of the whole game – a ball through had Gary Hooper charging down on goal, but the forward was brought down by Spartak defender Juan Insaurralde, who was eventually sent off after the referee consulted his linesman.
Celtic were on the ascendancy and substitute James Forrest pulled them level from a Charlie Mulgrew cross which was cleverly dummied by Samaras. Celtic had completed the comeback and a point would have been well deserved, but they weren’t finished there.
As the game crept into injury time, Izaguirre found himself in space down the left-hand side, he floated a cross into the Spartak box which found its way to the Greek God Samaras who pounced with a flourishing header into the bottom right-hand corner from the penalty spot.
Celtic had finally done it, they had won away from home in the Champions League.
Goal 3 – Kieran Tierney v Kilmarnock
Celtic lined up in this League Cup second round tie with a much-changed side. Kieran Tierney captained the team for the first time, with the likes of Kundai Benyu, Calvin Miller, Anthony Ralston and Eboue Kouassi making rare starts for the Hoops.
It didn’t take long for Celtic to stamp their dominance in the game and, by the half-hour mark, they were already 3-0 up thanks to strikes from Leigh Griffiths (2) and Anthony Ralston. Then came arguably one of the goals of the season.
Captain for the night, Kieran Tierney, picked up the ball just outside of the centre circle, took a couple of touches to compose himself, before launching an effort from close to 40 yards out that sailed high into the roof of the net past the disparaging Jamie McDonald (who must be used to conceding goals from long range against Celtic now).
An absolutely exquisite strike from the then 19-year-old, who was playing centre-half for the Celts that night.
Goal 4 – Moussa Dembele v St Johnstone.
Unlike most of the goals that we have showcased in these awards, this one is more down to the buildup, rather than the importance or quality of the strike.
Celtic trailed 2-1 when Moussa Dembele came off the bench in this tie back in February 2017, replacing Gary Mackay-Steven after 59 minutes. Within 2 minutes, Dembele had the Hoops level. Kieran Tierney’s cross was blocked by Watson, who was adjudged to have handled. Dembele took the spot-kick and pulled the Hoops level. Dembele doubled his total minutes later before Sinclair looked to have wrapped up the points with 10 minutes to go, however Celtic saved the best until last.
This was a play that included 25 passes, in which every player on the park for Celtic touched the ball at least once, including Craig Gordon. The build-up play also included a Rabona cross from Mikael Lustig and a cheeky flick from Callum McGregor to lay off the eventual goalscorer Moussa Dembele, who slotted home to complete his hat-trick!
A truly fantastic team goal, which would still be replayed around the world today if Barcelona or Manchester City had scored it.
Colin Watt
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