Michael Gannon is apparently the Daily Record’s Celtic man.
He gets sent on the pre-season tours, the European matches and covers most domestic games for the fading Glasgow based publisher.
Topping things up he is a regular on the Record’s Celtic podcast.
Gannon really should know his history, especially when it comes to the Glasgow Derby even though the Daily Record uses another phrase to describe that fixture.
Without doubt one of the most pivotal Glasgow Derbies was played on 27 August 2000.
It was Martin O’Neill’s first experience of the fixture. Like Dick Advocaat his side went into the match with four wins out of four in the SPL.
What happened next turned the course of Scottish football history.
Some Celtic fans would say that the 6-2 victory was the trigger that pushed Rangers into liquidation in 2012. Another issue that the Record has failed to come to terms with.
Celtic went from strength to strength. O’Neill delivered a treble.
Dave Murray delivered Tore Andre Flo and Ronald de Boer. As well as the contracts registered with the SFA Flo and De Boer were heavily paid through a Discount Option Scheme.
CELTIC 6-2 RANGERS- A DEVASTATING DAY FOR THE DAILY RECORD
That later generated a £2.7m tax bill. It remained unpaid when Rangers went into liquidation.
The 6-2 team are legends. Celtic were 3-0 up inside 12 minutes. Henrik Larsson scored an iconic goal. Barry Ferguson got sent off, stuck on his trackie and headed to the Bothwell Bridge Hotel.
O’Neill’s side was only taking shape.
It didn’t include Alan Thompson, Didier Agathe, Neil Lennon, John Hartson or Bobo Balde.
According to Gannon Lennon has spoke about how the players went into that match like caged lions after O’Neill’s team talk.
Only problem there is that Lennon was playing for Leicester City at the time. His move to Celtic came in November, more than two months after the 6-2 match.
Regardless of that Gannon entertains Record readers with:
O’Neill has been renowned for his rousing pre-match team talks over the years and none more so than his address before his first clash withRangers.
And it’s a mood he’s determined to tap into as he prepares for what is most likely his last.
Ask former charges such as Chris Suttonand Neil Lennon and they often talk about how O’Neill had his men like caged lions before they walked out at Celtic Park in the August sunshine 26 years ago.
Rangers ended up getting mauled in one of the all-time great derby wins and it’s out to capture the spirit of 2000 and the famous 6-2 win that got his first reign off to a flyer in tomorrow’s monumental showdown.
Perhaps a quick call to Sutton or Lennon would have saved Gannon the embarrassment of that claim.
Gannon added:
O’Neill’s side were a goal up inside one minute back then and three ahead by the half hour mark.
Make that 12 minutes. Were you at the match Michael?
Earlier this season Gannon got the swoop that Celtic were in advanced talks to appoint Wilfried Nancy as manager.
That was followed by a stream of stories detailing how brilliant that move would be.
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?Keith Jackson | Michael Gannon??
‘Fans calling for his head should be embarrassed!’ ?
Celtic fans have their say on manager Wilfried Nancy following the 3-0 defeat to Roma ??
? FULL SHOW ?https://t.co/fmHkC9kTJq pic.twitter.com/qlPhQdTumd
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) December 12, 2025
I’d been at a stag do the night before the 6-2 game and getting to my seat in the back row of the upper tier was an ordeal.
Best hangover cure ever though!
As ever, a distinct lack of journalism in The DR.
Just more off the cuff p!sh, and can’t be @rsed Googling about the match details.
This rag won’t be missed. 🙂