Celtic’s greatest Irishmen

Tomorrow, across the globe, St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated with Celtic’s shirts prominent.

Just as Ireland has given so much to the world so have Celtic. A small band of Irishmen have worn the Celtic shirt while in the background some significant contributions to the success of the club has been made by Irishmen down the years- all the way back to Brother Walfrid.

From Ballymote to Boston and many points in-between March 17 will be a day of reflection and celebration, looking back on 12 months that brought another title to Celtic, a new Irish manager and Ireland progressing through to the last 16 of the European Championships in France.

As almost every fan knows the Celtic Story started off in Ireland when Brother Walfrid started a football club to raise funds to feed the poor of Glasgow’s east end. Without him the life’s of millions would have been so much duller, no McGrory, McStay, Murdoch, Tully, Auld, Hay, the Lisbon Lions or Brendan Rodgers to light up millions of life’s.

Which Irish player has made the greatest contribution to Celtic is an argument without any answer, click below to reflect on some magnificent and important Celts.

NEIL LENNON

As a player and manager Lennon gave Celtic everything, picking up seven league titles despite being up against rivals financially doped beyond belief.

He was the symbol of Martin O’Neill on the park, something that Celtic fans loved and opposition fans loathed.

Gordon Strachan stuck with Lennon when he took over from O’Neill as he added two more title medals to his collection.

As a manager he managed to wrestle control back of the title, help push Rangers into the grave and achieved a home win over Barcelona.

PAT BONNER

Spent his entire playing career with Celtic, Jock Stein’s final Celtic signing didn’t work out too badly with the legendary manager never the best judge of goalkeepers.

Packie experienced the good and bad times at Celtic, playing a key role in some legendary successes such as the 1985 Scottish Cup Final win, Love Street and the Centenary Double.

As club success proved elusive he became a star on the international stage, playing a key role for Jackie Charlton at the 1988 European Championships and at Italia 90.

MARTIN O’NEILL

Dragged Celtic back from the brink in 2000 setting a new benchmark with an incredible turn around in fortunes.

His five years managing the club left millions of memories, it would be difficult to decide if beating Rangers (IL) 6-2 was more significant than taking 80,000 fans to Seville for the final of the UEFA Cup.

Aided by Henrik Larsson he installed a mean streak to Celtic, rediscovering the will to win with only the tax cheats from across the city denying him a clean sweep of five successive titles.

CHARLIE TULLY

Kept the fans entertained through the fifties, like Bonner there was a mix of good and bad times but he never tired of pulling on the jersey.

The joined from Belfast Celtic in 1948 and quickly made his mark with a unique style of play that has possibly only been matched by Paddy McCourt.

He played a key role in the big successes of the fifties but his ability wasn’t reflected in his medal collection but the Coronation Cup success and 7-1 match will never be forgotten by Celtic fans

SEAN FALLON

Served Celtic as player, scout, assistant manager and caretaker manager with an involvement in most of the greatest successes that the club has enjoyed.

As a player he gave 100%, his fitness and bravery were never in question.

He seemed certain to become manager but was happy to become assistant to his former team-mate Jock Stein, sitting side by side on the bench in Lisbon for the club’s greatest hour.

Dozens of players from Dalglish and McGrain to Burns and McStay credit Fallon as a massive part of their careers.

BRENDAN RODGERS

It’s possibly a little early to put the current manager in with the greats but it can’t be underestimated the transition that he has overseen in under a year.

From day one when he attracted 13,000 fans to Celtic Park he has barely put a foot wrong.

The stands are full, the team is winning, the football is entertaining and the fans are seeing progress in every area on a weekly basis.

There has been a few set-backs, he’s only human but under Rodgers the future is secure with Celtic definitely in safe hands.