Eighteen years ago today Celtic were beating Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park in the midst of a snow storm. Off the park things weren’t any quieter.
After that defeat from Inverness Caley Thistle Director of Football Kenny Dalglish had been summoned from La Manga to switch his gold clubs for the managers jacket.
It was quite clear that Dalglish was only in charge on a caretaker basis as the club that had recently had Tommy Burns, Wim Jansen and Jo Venglos in charge reacted to the mid-season departure of John Barnes.
On this day in 2000, Celtic beat Dundee 3-0 thanks to goals from Mjallby, Viduka and Healy. pic.twitter.com/jKmjZNSiwE
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboa) February 12, 2018
While the media portrayed the departure of Barnes as the end of a dream most fans were relaxed about it and had seen the writing on the wall from a distance for the tactical dreamer.
The fans gave the team great backing at Dundee, no one could have guessed that Martin O’Neill was about to transform every aspect of the club before the year was out.
Only Jackie McNamara and Johan Mjallby survived to reach Seville but a look through the team-sheet reveals a hard core of talent and ability- plus a few randoms that hardly made a mark.
DMITRI KHARIN
Was among that first generation of Russian imports enjoying hard currency after making his name with CSKA Moscow.
At Chelsea he seemed to be in semi-retirement, he joined Celtic at the start of the Barnes season to top up his pension.
He made six appearances in that first season and hung around for two more seasons under Martin O’Neill before officially retiring.
JACKIE MCNAMARA
Was in the middle of that stage where a new manager was appointed every summer with Martin O’Neill about to break the mould set up by Wim Jansen, Jo Venglos and Barnes.
Jackie started 23 SPL matches in the Barnes/Dalglish season with the highlight being a CIS Cup win over Aberdeen at Hampden.
He’d never have guessed that in three years time he’d be playing in a European final with an unlikely five year adventure about to open up in the summer.
ALAN STUBBS
He must have wondered what he had got into after signing a five year contract for Tommy Burns from Bolton.
His first season was forgettable, alongside Marc Rieper he was a rock in the side that stopped the ten before the chaos resumed with the annual change of manager.
Being diagnosed with cancer was also part of an eventful five year stint in Glasgow, he’ll never have to look far to buy a pint in Leith after managing Hibs to victory in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.
TOM BOYD
The wise old owl lived through it all during his decade plus at Celtic, the demise of the old board, five eventful years under Fergus McCann and the golden days of McCann.
Playing in either full-back position or in central defence Boyd was a defenders defender and knew that his first duty was always to keep the opposition out.
Management and the neutrality of becoming a pundit never appealed, he prefers watching and supporting Celtic, he has never hidden his colours.
STEPHANE MAHE
Very much a left field signing under Wim Jansen he played a significant part in stopping the ten then found his career somewhat in turmoil.
He went on to make over 100 Celtic appearances including 13 in Martin O’Neill’s treble season that involved a not insignificant role in the 6-2 match.
After Celtic he made the unlikely move to Hearts before returning to France to finish an eventful career probably best remembered for a sending off from Hugh Dallas.
VIDAR RISETH
Arrived in unfortunate circumstances as Dr Jo’s first signing, like many of this side he had a brief and eventful Celtic career.
A goal in the CIS Cup win over Aberdeen was around the corner but he never fitted in with Martin O’Neill and was on the move to 1860 Munchen then a host of Norwegian clubs.
Throughout his career he remained a regular internationalist, playing in the 1998 World Cup and the European Championships two years later.
JOHAN MJALLBY
At this stage in his career he was still viewed as a central midfielder and seemed suited to the Scottish game.
A move back into defence worked out brilliantly under O’Neill with the Swede a massive factor in the success enjoyed all the way to Seville.
Injuries caught up with him but he returned to assist Neil Lennon through traumatic times as the title was recaptured and the present league winning run established.
MORTEN WEIGHORST
Another who endured a Celtic roller-coaster that involved serious injury, numerous managers and not a few medals and memories.
He tended to be on the fringe of the side for his first few seasons but rose to the challenge in 97/98 to stop the ten.
Despite his illness he was still involved under Martin O’Neill, returned to Denmark and regained his place in the international side. In management he assisted Brian Laudrup at Swansea.
LUBO MORAVCIK
A £300,000 by Dr Jo, he scored twice early in his career against Rangers (IL) with subsequent managers grateful for the Venglos Legacy.
It’s incredible how low key his club career had been, a well guarded secret plying his trade in St Etienne.
By the time he retired in 2002 he had created a wealth of memories, the legend still burns brightly of a talent that hasn’t been matched 16 years down the line.
IAN WRIGHT
Perhaps the Barnes era in summary, the Arsenal legend was signed after Henrik Larsson’s leg break in Lyon.
Clearly past his best he was the wrong man at the wrong time and also in the wrong place for the Caley Thistle disaster.
His Celtic ‘career’ lasted just ten matches but would certainly merit an interesting chapter or two in his next book.
MARK VIDUKA
What can be said, after signing for Celtic he promptly returned to Australia before returning to Glasgow and literally scoring goals for fun.
Thirty goals in thirty-six SPL matches was an exceptional return for someone allegedly playing at 80%.
His transfer paid for Chris Sutton, no one complained as Viduka enjoyed a great career in England with Leeds, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
He retired to Australia and keeps a very low profile shunning media and coaching offers.
SUBSTITUTES
Olivier Tebily replaced Jackie McNamara but never shook off his bomb-scare nickname.
Colin Healy replaced Lubo Moravcik and scored in the snow but found his Celtic career stalled as O’Neill put his trust in Neil Lennon, Paul Lambert and Stan Petrov.
Mark Burchill replace Ian Wright but was frozen out by O’Neill’s high profile high cost strikers although his goal scoring was always in demand across more than a dozen clubs.