Dion Dublin made the move to Celtic Park in January 2006 on a contract until the end of that season.
Brought in by manager Gordon Strachan following the departure of Chris Sutton, who had left on a free to Birmingham, Dublin teamed up for a second time time with the manager he described as “one of the very best coaches” he had ever worked with.
Talking about Strachan in an interview with the Celtic View on 8 March 2006, Dublin said: “The gaffer? Oh, he’s definitely changed. I’d say the main thing is how much he’s mellowed since I last worked with him. That was clear to me from the start.”
Dublin’s Celtic career got off to the worst start possible before even kicking a ball. In an interview with the Daily Record, he recalls turning up to Celtic Park for his first day in a blue car. He said: “I remember signing for Celtic and I remember having a blue Volkswagen Golf. I turn up at the ground and the hierarchy said, ‘You can’t have that!’ So, they bought me a silver one. That’s a fact.”
It didn’t take long for Dublin to adjust to life in Glasgow. Although away from his family, his team-mates made sure he got settled in. Talking to the Celtic View, Dublin said: “Everyone’s been fantastic and, as a group, they’ve made it very easy for me to settle in.” Dublin had previously played with Roy Keane, Paul Telfer and Alan Thompson, stating “It’s helped knowing a few of the boys”.
On arrival, the former England international was left pleasantly surprised by his new team-mates, especially the younger lesser-known players. “It’s the young players who’ve impressed me most,” he said. “To me, it looks like they’re already the backbone of Celtic Football Club and, if I’d to pick one player who’s impressed me more than anyone, it would be [Stephen] McManus.”
McManus would eventually go on to captain Celtic and play a big part in the squad until his departure in 2010.
Dublin’s short time in Glasgow would prove to be a successful one, the striker achieved a league and cup double, bagging the final goal in the 3-0 League Cup final victory against Dunfermline.
LIFE AFTER CELTIC
Dublin’s career ended with a two-year spell at Norwich before taking the conventional route into media and punditry. But if you think his move to Celtic turned heads, that was nothing compared to what was to come.
In 2015, Dublin was announced as one of the presenters on BBC’s daytime property show Homes Under the Hammer. On the move, Liza Hazlehurst, of the company behind the show, said: “Dion’s enthusiasm for property is infectious and we’re really excited he is joining Homes Under the Hammer.”
It’s not quite the career move you expect from an ex-Celt but we are behind him either way!
BOBBY GORDON
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