Basically picking my top ten Celts of the decade boiled down to who could improve on the Seville side.
Another season from Lubo Moravcik would have been great, Artur Boruc (2005-2008 form) would walk into the team and I think that there would be a place for Aiden McGeady.
The top ten players wouldn’t make up a team (assuming someone had been sent off) with a decision having to be made on whether Chris Sutton or John Hartson partnered Henrik Larsson in attack.
It’s unlikely than any manager would play McGeady and Moravcik in the same team but it wouldn’t half be enjoyable to see what carnage they could inflict.
It was enjoyable thinking through the players we’ve watched over the decade strong cases could be made for others with Paul Lambert, Stan Petrov and Bobo Balde (pre-2005) the closest contenders for inclusion.
1.Henrik Larsson– no contest really. Words don’t do the great man justice, I never thought that I’d see better than Paul McStay but Henrik was on a different level and played in a side that was regularly winning honours. Overlooking too many missed penalties, he was faultless; a striker, a poacher, team-player. Never hid from anything on the park, took the kicks, bounced back for more and was responsible for most of the happiest memories of the decade. The Swedish Kris Boyd to some.
2.Chris Sutton– the King Maker. Spending £6m on a striker that had scored once and flopped spectacularly at Chelsea was a massive risk but quickly repaid. Sutton scored the winner on his debut at Dundee United and wasn’t prepared to be second best to anyone- an infectious attitude. In three positions he was outstanding but none more so than creating havoc with Larsson
3.Shunsuke Nakamura. Like Sutton there was genuine concerns about the outlay- especially arriving two days after the Artmedia disaster. His touch on the ball was remarkable, his dedication incredible with a collection of remarkable free-kicks to savour. He performed on the European stage, none more so than with goals home and away against Manchester United
4.Neil Lennon. This is getting repetitive but why would Celtic spend £6m on a defensive midfielder? Lennon was essential to the success of Martin O’Neill’s team and bridged the handover to Gordon Strachan. Attitude matched to ability he won more honours than any Celt during the decade.
5.Alan Thompson. Another project of O’Neill whose attitude was as important as his ability. A winner first of all but capable of brilliance from left midfield with a stack of assists for Larsson. Thommo was a goalscorer as well with Rangers and Barcelona amongst his favourite victims.
6.Johan Mjallby. Another with winner at the top of his cv. He worked his way into O’Neill’s plans after being initially overlooked. His attacking tendancies were curbed into becoming a disciplined defender where he excelled alongside Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren.
7.Artur Boruc. At last a keeper! Originally signed on loan for a season a £1m transfer fee was quickly arranged for the most controversial Celt of the decade. Three season’s of undisputed brilliance have given way to more erratic performances, and headlines but without doubt a matchwinner on his day
8.John Hartson. Fantastic striker who connected with the supporters i
n a way that very few modern players manage to achieve. For goals, brutality and aggression he was second to no-one. After failing a Rangers medical he found his home from home with Celtic with over 100 goals and as many memories highlighting his hoops career.
9.Lubo Moravcik. Was never a regular at any time but despite his advancing years he was a valued and entertaining part of O’Neill’s successes. In midfield or further forward he added the unexpected with a range of skills and tricks.
10.Aiden McGeady. The most naturally talented player to come through the ranks, a talent that is still evolving. Flashes and bursts of brilliance have been matched with frustrations but watching the club over the last four years would have been much duller without him
