I ordered ‘Fergus McCann V David Murray’ in May 2020 during the lockdown to take away the hollowness and the uncertainty over when we would be able to see Celtic back and in action. It arrived on publication date, 27 July 2020.
This book appealed to me because I thought that for the first time all the information that we currently have on the subject of McCann and Murray would be presented in one volume; how wrong was I!
I discovered I didn’t know all the information. Author Stephen O’Donnell maps out the football and financial battles in Glasgow in the 1990s in 11 fluid chapters that will appeal not only to Celtic fans, but fans of football, perseverance and the magic of the power of football fanaticism.
It’s important to note that this title isn’t only a magnified look at how Fergus McCann saved Celtic and the financial misdeeds of the Murray generation; O’Donnell also discusses how the modern-day Celtic 9-in-a-row squad and the recent disgrace and liquidation of Rangers, had their foundations laid in the turbulent times of the 1990’s.
The foreword to this book sets the stage for a classic. David Low (Investors Group 1994 & Chair of Celtic Trust 2020) the man who acted as a matador between many a bull (and bull shit!) sets out the scene of the tussles in the 1990s, firstly describing how he flies to Montreal to meet Fergus McCann, where he describes McCann’s first words to him and what we now know to be the stature of Mr McCann: blunt, fair and unique:
“Hello, Mr Low. Who are you, why are you here and what do you want?” – The Bunnet
This one quote wetted my appetite for the 11 chapters that were to come, and there was no disappointment.
The book is a jig-saw that allows the reader an insight into the ways and means of the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish press, other shadowy figures and the omnipresent financial debacles of the Scottish game. The book also highlights those who shone a light into dark places.
The author takes a look at the fans attitudes and dedication, but also stops you in your tracks: “Why was it allowed to get so bad?” I asked myself on numerous occasions. O’Donnell proceeds to produce an incredibly in-depth approach on both Celtic and Rangers, on and off the field, that ultimately explains to the reader why things turned out the way they did, eventually leading to 9-in-a-row for Celtic and the end of Rangers Football Club and the emergence of a new club.
Stephen O’Donnell guides us along a timeframe that doesn’t jump back and forth to bolster his point of view, he sticks to the facts in a manner that would make Columbo blush! Succinct and gripping.
Names such as Brady, Macari, Kelly, Souness, Judas, Smith, Cadete, Jansen, Larsson, O’Neil, Strachan, Lennon – I could go on, but it’s for you to discover on this green wave of ups and downs.
The footballing history in every chapter (my favourite being chapter 6: ‘One in a Row’) allows the reader to appreciate the turmoil Scottish football was in and the names that arise in this tsunami will transport a few back and introduce many to a history that, as a Celtic fan, will fill you with fear from March 4th 1994 to the euphoria of 9 in a row. As a Rangers fan reading the book, the quote “For every five pounds Celtic spend, we will spend ten (Chapter 5)” will haunt you, but it stands as a reminder of the importance of fair play.
Celtic since Fergus McCann arrived have Won 16 League Titles: 9-in-a-row. Scottish Cups. League Cups. Domestic Trebles – before McCann, Celtic had only won three Trebles in their history and of course reached a European Final in 2003 when Martin O’Neill took Celtic to the UEFA Cup Final, losing in extra time to Porto, and not forgetting ‘The Invincibles’ as a part of their modern, glorious history.
The above are all covered in this story of struggle, the cheating backed by the Scottish MSM and those in positions of power, one club dying and another getting to the top through honesty and hard graft.
We all know the goosebumps that rise when we hear the quote: “The Rebels have won”, but do we know the full story? I thought I did, but O’Donnell has added to my knowledge with his due diligence in his book: ‘Fergus McCann v David Murray’.
Next stop: NETFLIX mini-series, as any reader of this publication will agree.
CLICK HERE to buy Fergus McCann v David Murray