Four years ago, as the SPL campaign ended at Celtic Park the fans listened to an emotional speech from manager Neil Lennon.
A season of disgrace had ended, one that saw bullets and bombs sent through the post to the Celtic manager, a touchline attack in front of a cheering mob at Tynecastle, moving home to ‘safe houses’, enduring 24 hour police protection and other incidents that would shame any sane society.
As he took the microphone, with Celtic’s faint title hopes ended as Cammy Bell picked the ball out of the net at Rugby Park three times in the first seven minutes, the passion was raw.
“For me this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning,” Lennon told the fans. It’s doubtful if a more accurate prediction has ever been made over the Public Address at Celtic Park.
The Celtic fans that left the stadium that day were hopeful of a Scottish Cup success the following week against Motherwell. Lennon’s team delivered.
Looking back on his first full season as Celtic manager Lennon reflected that: “‘I have certainly brought the thunder back but I also wanted to bring the championship back and I haven’t done that.
“So I failed in that objective. But, in terms of bringing back the noise, the passion from the fans, the players did that in abundance.
“The supporters are what make the club special. There has been a great united front between the staff here and the support.”
Twelve months later it was Lennon celebrating at Kilmarnock as Celtic stormed to the title, clinching it with a 6-0 win.
Three more titles have followed, is this the end or is it just the beginning?