Rab Douglas has admitted that Fraser Forster would take his place in probably the best Celtic side of this century but no-one else in the current squad would get into the vintage side of the 2001-04.
The big keeper avoided watching the re-run of the 2002 Scottish Cup Final on BBC last weekend but picked up on the social media reaction.
Several of Martin O’Neill’s big hitters were well short of fitness as Celtic lost 3-2 but that side was about to embark on a trophy-less season that will be remembered by all Celtic fans.
Around 80,000 made their way to Seville after cheering the side through an epic UEFA Cup run that took account of Blackburn Rovers, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart, Liverpool and Boavista.
Every game created special memories with the 2-0 win at Anfield a particular highlight against a Liverpool side that was two years away from winning the Champions League.
Douglas is very visible on social media and honest about his own ability and short-comings.
In his Courier column looking back at the 2002 Scottish Cup Final he admits:
Thank goodness Twitter wasn’t around back then. According to some folk I should be taking the blame for Barry Ferguson’s free-kick and Peter Lovenkrands’ winner!
What I will admit is that if you were trying to pick a best Celtic team from that year combined with the current one, I’m probably the only one from ’02 that would be subbed.
There’s no shame in making way for Fraser Forster, who has been bought and sold for £10 million.
You can have a debate over a few other positions – like Scott Brown and Neil Lennon – but I wouldn’t be making any outfield changes. I certainly wouldn’t be dropping Stan Petrov for anybody, as some on social media are suggesting. They’ve got short memories.
What I can say is nobody would get in that Rangers side from the present day. If Morelos couldn’t score in the recent Betfred Cup final, you wouldn’t trust him in a game like the one we played.
O’Neill’s side cantered to the 2001/02 SPL title, clinching the trophy in a 4-1 home win over Livingston with four matches still to be played.
Douglas continued playing into his forties, playing his last competitive match in November 2017 at the age of 44, bowing out with a clean sheet at Hampden helping Arbroath to a 2-0 win over Queens Park.
Would any of Lenny's outfield players get in the 2002 side?
Definately, Broony for starters, and Cal Mac
Nope, we won't see a team like that again
CELTIC 2002 Scottish Cup Final Team: Douglas; Balde, Sutton, Mjallby; Agathe, Lennon, Petrov, Lambert (McNamara 46), Thompson; Sutton, Larsson
SUBS: Gould, Boyd, Guppy, Moravcik
In Seville Joos Valgaeren replaced John Hartson in the starting XI with Sutton partnering Henrik Larsson in attack.
