The history of Celtic is something that the supporters hold on to preciously.
Players and teams from the past are revered for the trophies won, the ability they showed and playing for the jersey.
Above all to have ‘played for the hoops’ is an honour that very few can drop into the conversation.
Whether it was at youth level, reserves or first team there is a special bond and awareness amongst those who have played for Celtic.
No matter where else someone goes on to play they tend to be most remembered from their days at Celtic with a network of former team-mates in and out of the game as a reminder of days in green and white.
Last month’s SFA Youth Cup Final at Hampden against Queen of the South highlighted the special nature of the club as I pumped into the shy and retiring John Fallon inside Hampden.
Fallon was in the company of two of his team mates from almost 50 years ago- Charlie Gallagher and Bobby Carroll.
All three arrived at Celtic from school and progressed through the ranks to find the spotlight with their own places in the clubs history.
Gallagher sent over two fondly remembered corners for Billy McNeill to head home against Dunfermline and Vojvodina, against Valencia Carroll scored the clubs first ever European goal with Fallon a stalwart in the 68/69 double winning side.
The three gentlemen took their place in the Hampden stand as the next generation of youth hopefuls attempted to follow in their path.
Goals from Filip Twardzik, Dylan McGeough, Jackson Irvine, Callum McGregor and John Herron provided Celtic with a 8-0 victory allowing Joe Chalmers, Bahrudin Atajic and Lewis Kidd to celebrate after the final whistle.
Also watching from the stand was three of last season’s youth side: Matty Hughes, Callum Bagshaw and Michael Ordish who’d all made lengthy journeys to be at the match
Whether the current generation go on to achieve remains to be seen but just like Fallon, Gallagher and Carroll they’ll always be able to look back fondly and say ‘I played for Celtic’.
