I knew that you would know why
Walter started giving Barry a run of games in 97/98, think he might even have played as many as 10 in a row before dropping points and he was back out the picture.
I suppose you can’t really blame Walter for going with the guys that had done him so well in the previous years.
Biggest thing is Snelders playing near 10 games, I genuinely was under the impression he only played 2/3 times. Am I correct in saying Niemi broke his finger at one point?
There are some interesting details in there.
Cleland third highest appearances.
Gattuso playing more often than Goram, Laudrup, Gough, & Super Ally.
Negri made 40 appearances despite his notorious injury.
Laudrup only scored 5 goals, the same as Rino.
In hindsight, Goram should have been replaced that summer - he was a shambles by that point.
The fact his phone sat pretty silent in the summer of 98 confirms that, I’m pretty sure he genuinely believed Advocaat was going to retain him.
Didn't make a start till about March. He was injured when he signed
... well they could say that, but doubt it
All ifs and buts. It felt like it was fate we’d botch that season. Even when that lot were dropping points we’d balls it up. If you can’t beat Kilmarnock at home in the last home game of the season to win the biggest championship in the club’s history (at the time) then you’re not worthy of the title. Hand on heart Celtic wanted to stop 10 more than we wanted it. That’s how it felt anyway
Goram’s physical state annoys me looking back. The hubris was absolutely ripping out of that squad. The chance for immortality and Negri decided to drill Porrini’s wife (allegedly), Gazza was on the sauce big time and Laudrup had all but chucked it
I cant remember the points difference at the time but i always look back at that game as where we threw it away and i still blame Jonas Thern. He had a good chance to score in the last minute but basically passed it back to their goalie and they punt it up the park and score. A player of his experience as well, he should have scored but if not scoring you hit it hard enough so it goes into row z or you take it to the corner.
2million…..We had the chance to sign Mark Reaper too
Same it was the first season I started going regularly and have weird memories of going to beam back games in the freezing cold and not wanting to tell my dad that my wee brother had fell asleep . Worst thing was going home after the last game from a beam back with that lot rampaging around central station
Agree
Yeah that’s how I remember it. Hearts probably deserve the ‘what if’ treatment more. They only won 4 out of the 18 points available in the run up to the final day. Just 12 would have been enough for them to win the title.
For me it came down to that game vs Killie. We were on a high after the back to back victories against them. I was in hospitality - what a serious let down. Was at tannadice and Parkhead for the sco cup final.
He did and one of his first involvements was to cement Larsson on the half way line.
