What happened to the Celtic XI that turned the tide and ‘launched the ten’
No trophies were handed out but if the game had been over at half-time a P45 would have been issued to Neil Lennon.
The Irishman considered resignation as he delivered his half time team talk at Kilmarnock to a squad of players that looked broken as they trailed the home side 3-0.
An unconvincing start to the season had culminated in that first 45 minutes, an afternoon of misery in front of the TV cameras at a half empty stadium.
From somewhere a fightback was fashioned, not just that afternoon but over the remainder of the season that is continuing to this day. Seven years down the line.
On twitter today someone described it as the ‘start of the ten’ but most fans would rather hold fire on that claim!
Anthony Stokes scored twice before Charlie Mulgrew equalised, an emergency was averted. Later that day Rangers (IL) were surprisingly held to a draw by St Mirren- the gap between the two clubs remained the same at tea time as it had been at lunch-time.
The team on that day had no great identity- few supporters would recall Mo Bangura and Badr El Kaddouri appeared as second half substitutes.
Seven years later the side from Rugby Park is scattered far and wide- last week two of them were on opposing sides in the Scotland v Israel Nations League match.
However many titles Celtic go on to win no one will forget that match at Kilmarnock- and what it launched.
FRASER FORSTER
Within 18 months he had starred in the Champions League and earned the respect of Barcelona.
In 2014 he was third choice keeper for England at the World Cup in Brazil, four years later he was relegated to fourth choice at Southampton after a £12m move from Celtic.
CHA DU RI
After the draw with Kilmarnock he was involved in a bizarre own goal away to Rennes but by the end of the season, and his two year Celtic contract he had an SPL winners medal.
Following his Celtic stint he had a brief spell with Fortuna Dusseldorf before moving on to South Korea and picking up on his celebrity lifestyle.
DANIEL MAJSTOROVIC
Had been brought in on a free transfer from AEK Athens the previous season to add some experience and know how to a youthful defence.
His pace had long since gone but he did a good short term job, the sort of role that could have come in handy at the start of the season as central defenders tumbled through injury.
A knee injury in February 2012 brought his Celtic career to a halt and cost him a place with Sweden at the European Championships. He resumed playing the following season with AIK Solna and now works as a football agent.
CHARLIE MULGREW
When Celtic returned to Kilmarnock later in the season to pick up the title the former Aberdeen defender was on the scoresheet.
He went on to pick up five SPL/SPFL winners medals but things petered out under Ronny Deila and was ended by Brendan Rodgers. Blackburn Rovers was his next stop, Mulgrew continues to be part of the Scotland set up.
ADAM MATTHEWS
He started 25 SPL matches in the 2011/12 title winning season and put in an outstanding performance at left-back in the memorable win over Barcelona 13 months later.
Matthews is now a regular in Jack Ross’ Sunderland side but has had two loan spells with Bristol City since moving to Wearside in 2015, at 26 his international days appear over.
KI SUNG YUENG
Celtic had so much midfield options at the time, Ki was in the mix most of that season with one eye on an end of season to a big money contract at Swansea managed by Brendan Rodgers.
He went on to spend six years in the EPL with the Welsh side split by a season at Sunderland after falling out with Brian Laudrup.
There was speculation of a return to Celtic in the summer but as a free agent he negotiated a lucrative deal with Newcastle- where he has made just two EPL appearances.
BERAM KAYAL
Injuries badly impact on his Celtic career with a brutal over the ball attack on his ankle from Lee McCulloch typical of his time in Glasgow.
He left quietly in January 2015 where he played a big part in their promotion to the EPL, at the higher level he has been less involved but showed Scotland a trick or two in last week’s Nations League match.
JOE LEDLEY
He picked up three title winning medals before being transferred to Crystal Palace during the window that brought Stefan Johansen to Celtic.
In 2016 he made a rapid recovery from a broken leg to play for Wales at Euro 16, he is now playing under Frank Lampard at Derby County.
JAMES FORREST
Had a stormer that day at Kilmarnock, stood up to be counted while others looked around for help.
Alongside Scott Brown he has been involved in all seven title triumphs, he celebrated a new four year contract with four goals against St Johnstone.
His place has almost always been under threat, most notably from Patrick Roberts but he has battled through the challenges to amass an amazing medal collection.
GARY HOOPER
His partnership with Anthony Stokes clicked from day one giving a real edge to the side developed by Neil Lennon for a combined fee of under £4m.
It wasn’t until Moussa Dembele was signed that Hooper was replaced, his career had taken a turn for the worse turning out at various Championship clubs without rediscovering his Celtic goal form.
ANTHONY STOKES
Saved the day at Rugby Park, his autobiography will be worth reading for the Neil Lennon chapters.
Stokes wasn’t trusted against Rangers (IL) but knew his way to goal against the rest of the SPL with his double against Kilmarnock as important as any goals in his Celtic career.
Brendan Rodgers ended his Celtic career after Ronny Deila had exiled him to Hibs, now starring in Iran, it’s never dull or predictable with the Dubliner.