Exclusive Interview – “I like being able to say I played for Celtic,” Dion Dublin | OneFootball

It’s always a pleasure to chat to a major name in the wold of football and obviously it’s even better when it’s one who played for Celtic, scoring a goal in a cup final for the Hoops too…

Dion Dublin of Celtic puts the ball past Allan McGregor of Dunfermline to score during the League Cup Final soccer match between Celtic and Dunfermline at Hampden Park March 19, 2006. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Celtic Shorts chatted to the one and only Dion Dublin about his time at Celtic, the things he found surprising about playing for the Hoops and how he thinks Celtic will get on in the Europa League this season after our major Champion League disaster in Linz last month.

A big shout out to Reviant for helping us speak to Dion, it’s greatly appreciated at a time when Celtic’s disgraceful ban on fan media continues and is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Here’s how we got on chatting with former Celt, Dion Dublin…

Dion Dublin, Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Q: Where does playing for Celtic rank in your list of career highlights?

Dion Dublin: “It’s right up there, really. I wore that shirt. The shirt. Do you know what mean? I had the green and white shirt on. I had my name on the back. I had the number nine. That was just walking out at Parkhead as the Celtic centre-forward. It was just amazing. It really was.

“I scored a couple of goals, scored in the League Cup final against Dunfermline, did the double, myself and Keaney. I think we were only there for one season, me and Roy, but we played with Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson and it was great.

“What you soon come to realise is that if you play for Celtic, you’ve got to be careful where you go in the city. Choose the right places to go in the city at the right time. If you don’t know, ask an experienced Celtic fan and they’ll tell you!”

Dion Dublin joins Celtic FC. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Q: Do you think you could have had an even longer period at Celtic if you’d gone earlier?

Dion Dublin: “If I’d have gone to Celtic in my pomp at 29 or 30 I think I would have been there for a long time. I might have maybe achieved a bit more, scored more goals. Gordon Strachan rang me up and basically said: Dion, would you come up to Celtic? I need somebody that I can trust on the bench.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan shouts instructions to his players during the Scottish Premier division match between Hearts and Celtic at Tynecastle stadium on January 1, 2006. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

“I think I was 35 or 36 and he said I won’t play every game. I don’t know where I’m going to play you, whether it’s at centre-half or centre-forward. I just need somebody who when I look over my shoulder I can say Dion will do that for me.

“I said: gaffer, no problem, because I had him as manager at Coventry first and he took me up to Glasgow on a two year contract and I stayed for the year and loved every minute of it. I didn’t let him down and he never let me down.

“I’ve always got the gaffer’s back and vice versa.”

12.02.2006 Dion Dublin (Celtic) Scottish Premier League 2005/2006, 1. photo Herren Mannschaft IMAGO

Q: What was the most surprising thing that you didn’t expect about Celtic?

Dion Dublin:  “I knew the fans were amazing. There was nothing new about that. The craziness of the fans, how early they get into the stadium, the noise they make, the loyalty they show, traveling all over the world as well, it’s genius.

“I didn’t realise how much possession we’d have. That surprised me. I sat on the bench and thinking, we’ve got the ball again! We’ve got the ball again! We’ve got the ball again! Just the total dominance we enjoyed over games through the quality of players in the team. I think that’s changed now.

“All the teams in Scotland have got a bit better and so Celtic games have got closer. We see it with Hearts and other teams nudging into that top four or five or six through good recruitment and good management. It’s good to see. I think it’s good for the game in Scotland.

“My other biggest surprise was you have to win, even more than at a club like Manchester United. Losing is not acceptable at Celtic Football Club, by the football club first and foremost, the fans, the manager, the players… they just don’t accept it. You have to win. You simply have to win.”

Q: Are you in touch with any of your former Celtic teammates twenty years on?

Dion Dublin:  “Yes, we do chat. I’ve seen a lot of Neil Lennon because we’ve both been on the circuit at the same time, doing commentary before he went back into a job. I speak to John Hartson. I love big John Hartson! I do a lot of work with Chris Sutton too and I was with Roy Keane last week too so I see some of the boys around.

12.02.2006. John Hartson replaced by Dion Dublin by Gordon Strachan ( Celtic Glasgow) – Scottish Premier League 2005/2006, Photo Randmotiv Personen IMAGO

“It’s just nice to have it on your CV to say I played for Celtic, albeit for a very short period of time. I like being able to say I played for Celtic.”

Q: How do you rate their chances in the Europa League?

Dion Dublin:  “I don’t know why they can’t go far this year. They earned the right to get into the Champions League but that’s not gone how they wanted it to. That step up is quite large when it comes to European football but this season’s going to be a little bit different in the Europa League for Celtic, I think.

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic, arrives at the stadium before the Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at St Mirren Park on September 05, 2026 (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

“Martin’s got a good squad of players there and I’d love Martin to do something, you know, I really would. What a lovely man, what a great manager, and for the people saying he is too old or is he going to leave, leave him alone! It’s Martin O’Neill.”

Thanks Dion and Hail Hail! 

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