Vintage Celtic classic against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park back in ’96 | OneFootball

Today we travel to Ayrshire to take on a Kilmarnock side who like ourselves can boast an unbeaten start to the campaign, in what’s sure to be a tough test especially on the much maligned Rugby Park surface, which thankfully will be consigned to the dustbin after this season…

Celtic supporters at Rugby Park

Past encounters down Ayrshire way have provided us with so many good memories as well as some pretty bad ones, with the most obvious good ones that stick in my mind being the blistering 6-0 win in 2012, a result that   clinched the league title, or the most recent 5-0 win in 2024 that secured yet another league flag win in Ayrshire.

However one trip down the M77 that still sticks in the mind of those of us of a certain age, and it was a clash way back in late August 1996, and anyone who had the pleasure to be present will recall it with great fondness.

It wasn’t as memorable as a title clinching match far from it, as it was the days we were starved of success on the trophy front, but it was a game that threw up some great entertainment as we watched on with awe as an exiting trio of attackers had a big say in the outcome of the match.

With 61 minutes on the clock at a rain drenched Rugby Park Tommy Burns side were trailing 1-0 until a madcap but dynamic Italian by the name of Paolo Di Canio, who had just entered proceedings as a substitute struck a fine instinctive finish after a neat one two with Jorge Cadete to haul us level in a game that looked in danger of slipping away from us.

It was the Italian’s first competitive goal for the club and it instantly shifted the momentum our way, and minutes later Andreas Thom fired us in front thanks again to Jorge Cadete who left two markers in his wake before presenting his German colleague with an opportunity he didn’t pass up.

Cadete was the supreme poacher, but showed the Celtic support that there was more to his game than just goals, and with just a minute remaining Cadete himself got on the scoresheet to secure the three points to round off a stunning finish for the Celts in a stadium that had become something of a bogey venue in the previous years before.

Di Canio, Thom, and Cadete producing a clinical performance whilst wearing the iconic Bumblebee top. Vintage Celtic indeed. I’d take a similar outcome today and maybe even a first Celtic goal from one or two of our new Bhoys would be the icing on the cake.

Incidentally while I’m obviously fully supportive of the 12th Man Protest today I’d also like the Celtic support to join in enthusiastically if the Kilmarnock fans chant – as I’m sure that they will – ‘CHAMPIONS LEAGUE? YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH’ –  that too will send the right message to the Celtic Board regarding the mess that they have caused this summer.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Eighties – Out now, it’s our fastest selling book ever and accordingly stocks are now very low indeed, so get it while you can!…

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.

Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!

OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.

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