A LAST FLOURISH

Stein's successor Billy McNeill arrived at Celtic Park in August
1978. Dissatisfied with the players he inherited, he quickly
began to build a new team, signing Davie Provan from Kilmarnock
for a Scottish transfer record of ￡120,000. Murdo MacLeod was
signed a week later and though form continued to fluctuate until
Christmas, McNeill's new Celtic began to gel in the New Year
. They went into their final game of the season against Rangers
needing a win to take the title. In a dramatic game, Celtic
emerged 4-2 victors.

As the 80s dawned, Celtic remained a major force in Scottish
football. Under new pressure from the emerging 'New Firm' of
Aberdeen and Dundee United, they still clinched the title in
1981 and 1982, the League Cup in 1982 and the Scottish Cup in
1980, though their 1-0 victory in that game was overshadowed
by the rioting between rival fans after the match.

Despite some notable scalps, including Ajax and, in 1983, Sporting
Lisbon, European success remained frustratingly beyond the club
, with Celtic's natural desire to play attacking football perhaps
a little naive against the best in Europe.

The McNeill era was short-lived compared to his mentor and predecessor
Jock Stein. Financial problems were once again instrumental
in undermining the squad. Charlie Nicholas scored 46 goals in
the 1982-83 season, yet was allowed to move to Arsenal in the
close season. The Gunners were prepared to pay him five times
what he was getting at Celtic Park. His departure was quickly
followed by that of McNeill himself, after a dispute over pay
and conditions.

Another former Celtic player David Hay assumed the managerial
reins in July 1983, but the team's barren spell continued until
1985 when a 2-1 win over Dundee United in the centenary final
of the Scottish Cup gave Hay his first trophy.

He added the League Championship to his tally the following season
, after one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the
competition. On the last day of the season Celtic had to win
by five goals against Saint Mirren, while league leaders Hearts
would have to lose to Dundee. Hearts topped the league before
Christmas and remained there for the rest of the season, but
astonishingly, they lost that last game 2-0, while Celtic cruised
to a 5-0 win, stealing the title.

Hay wanted to strengthen the squad at the start of the next season
, but no money was made available, a humbling contrast to the
big money signings being made across the city as Graham Souness
revitalised Rangers. Celtic's season was a disappointment, losing
the League Cup final to Rangers and throwing away a 10 point
lead in the league to the same side.

To make matters worse, players were unhappy. Mo Johnston put
in a transfer request in the second half of the season, while
Brian McClair and Murdo MacLeod were also unsettled. By the
start of the next season McClair and Johnston had both left,
as had Alan McInally, while Davie Provan had retired.

Hay himself also left the club, sacked by the board, who had
asked Billy McNeill to return.

  


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