The previous 6 weeks of football had witnessed a turnaround
in fortune for Celtic in the league.
Having won the previous 7 matches, Celtic had closed the gap on Hearts
to ensure that the championship would be decided on the final day of the
season.
After an indifferent run of results between 8th February &
22nd April where Celtic drew 4 leagues matches in a row all played in Glasgow, to
still be in contention for the title was an achievement.
The league leaders Hearts were on course for their first
championship since 1960 & had put together a strong run of results not
losing a single match in the league between 5th October 1985 & 26th
April 1986 – avoid defeat in the final match of the
season & the title would be theirs.
Fans of both clubs travelled in numbers hoping to see their
club secure the championship. Hearts
fans made their way to Dens Park Dundee & Celtic fans travelled to St
Mirren Park Paisley to watch the final 90 minutes of the league season.
For me, it was another Saturday at home with my dad &
sister Helen listening to the match on the radio. We would crowd round the radio to hear what was going on across
the grounds & I would make up the pictures in my mind, but I don’t think
even the most creative mind could envisaged the events that would unfold that
afternoon.
My older brother Benny was also there, normally he would be
travelling the length & breadth of Scotland to watch Celtic, but for some
reason he stayed at home that day.
With the rain pouring down in Paisley the match got underway
& Celtic went into attack to look for the goals they needed. After only 6 minutes the commentary team
broke the news that Celtic had scored thanks to a header from Brian
McClair. The goal was met with cheers from us listening to the radio.
It would be another 25 minutes before any more goal updates
came from Paisley, first
we heard Mo Johnston had made it 2-0 to Celtic, this was quickly followed by a 2nd for Johnston & it was 3-0 to celtic after 35 minutes.
The pundits described the 3rd goal as a free flowing passing move by Celtic, moving the ball quickly from defence to attack, one of the goals of the season. A 4th goal was added after 38 minutes from Paul McStay, Celtic had done all that they could to score the goals to ensure the win that they needed.
At half time Celtic were winning 4-0, & Hearts were
drawing 0-0 with Dundee.
The
destiny of the championship was still in the hands of the Hearts players. The announcer at Dens Park urged Hearts
fans not to invade the pitch at full time when they had won the league. It looked like everyone in Scotland had
agreed the outcome was settled.
Early in the 2nd half Celtic added a 5th goal through
Brian McClair, but Hearts were still in control.
By now it made no difference if you were at the Celtic
match, at home or in a bar, Celtic fans were now fully focussed on the events being described on the radio from Dens Park Dundee.
With our radio at full blast & my dad pacing up &
down the house, we finally heard the news we were waiting for:
“A high in-curling ball, its headed down by Brown ITS IN THE
NET & A GOAL, A GOAL THERE BY ALBERT KIDD……………The unthinkable has
happened……….with 7 minutes left for play, its Dundee 1 Heart of Midlothian Nil”
The 4 of us listening at home cheered & celebrated the
news of the goal for Dundee in disbelief.
Minutes later more news came from Dundee:
“Its all happening here, Dundee coming forward again,
they’ve got a new lease of life……………moving the ball inside…….gets a return
& ITS GOAL NUMBER 2, ALBERT KIDD AGAIN”
The news started more celebrations at home & with Celtic
fans listening across the country.
The final whistle sounded at both grounds & Celtic were
champions of Scotland for the first time since 1982.
The following day I went to Celtic Park with my Dad & Brother-in-law as Celtic hosted an open day at the stadium where
fans came to meet the new champions.
This was my first memory of Celtic winning the league title
& watching what it meant to my family & so many people will always be
one of my great Celtic moments.
