DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Dundee players Albert Kidd during a cinch Premiership match between Dundee and Kilmarnock at the Kilmac Stadium, on September 23, 2023, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Kenny Black has been reliving the pain of the 1986 Premier Division title race.
On the final day of the season the midfielder lined up at Dens Park knowing that a draw would make Hearts the champions of Scotland.
A defeat might even secure the title provided Celtic didn’t beat St Mirren by three goals.
Celtic had doggedly took the title race to the final day when a Hearts title win had been anticipated long in advance.
Davie Hay’s side knew that goal difference could be a factor but had only beaten Dundee and Motherwell 2-0 in the second and third last matches.
WHEN HEARTS BLEW THE TITLE
In their last home match Hearts looked nervy as they beat Clydebank 1-0 but that ensured a carnival build up to the game at Dens Park.
Way back when we lost the league title at Dens Park, Albert Kidd and all that, that was the most traumatic week of my career.
The stage was set. The capital was about to provide Scotland with their champion club for the first time since season 59/60.
What happened next is part of Celtic folklore. It is the nightmare of every Jambo.
Almost 40 years later Black remembers it all too vividly.
Previewing today’s match at Ibrox the midfielder told the Daily Record:
You lose the league title with eight minutes to go .. you just can’t ever remove that from your memory as a player.
That was the worst dressing room I’ve ever been in after a game. We’d had a magnificent run, almost 30 league games undefeated until that last game at Dens.
Fair play to Celtic. They had a job to do that day at St Mirren. We can’t blame anyone but ourselves. I don’t think you ever get over that.
So seeing Hearts win the title would be brilliant, great for the fans. But I still don’t think anything could ever wipe the memory of 1986 for those in that dressing room. It just goes to show you never know what’s around the corner.
Celtic had their part of the job completed by going in at half time leading St Mirren 4-0.
That news instantly spread to Dens Park but with 80 minutes played Hearts were drawing 0-0. The As It Stands table at 4.30pm had them one point clear of Celtic. Champions elect.
Substitute Albert Kidd turned that round with goals in the 83 and 87th minutes.
The reactions at Love Street were epic. Celtic had achieved one of the least expected title wins in their history.
Around 18,000 fans watched the drama unfold. None who were there will ever forget how the afternoon played out.
Black is very diplomatic about the afternoon. More than a few of his team-mates have questioned the commitment of St Mirren players.
It was an incredible Celtic title win. Every title win is special but in season 85/86 it was that bit more special.
Maybe if some of those Hearts players watched the Celtic performance at Love Street then they would realise what it takes to win a league. Celtic were outstanding on the day while Hearts blew it. Black is right, they only have themselves to blame. Thank you Albert Kidd.
Funny how nobody ever says anything about how well Paddy Bonner played at Love Street that day.
Editor: Yes, a 90 minute video would be great, now you mention it I think that there was a few important saves in the first 20 minutes.
Probably my finest ever day as a Celtic supporter !
I was there, and what a day, it was 2nd on!y to the Centenary cup final victory. (the semi final win was far fantastic too!) Celtic were outstanding on the day….about 6 or 7 of us used to travel to see The Hoops, home and away, and on that day, only 3 of us went, there was very little or no expectation of us winning the league, but we did….history was made and the added bonus….the diet huns won hehaw.?