That Was The Celtic Goal That Was

That Was the Celtic Goal That Was



No. 6 24th August 1996 Paolo Di Canio



On the 31st May 1996 Paolo Di Canio joined Celtic from AC Milan. Tommy Burns had been looking to add a game changer to our team, someone who could unlock defences , make & score goals - Tommy & the Celtic fans were not to be disappointed.


The arrival of Di Canio complete the "Three Amigos" forward line of the 96/97 season with Cadete & Van Hooijdonk. Andreas Thom would add some more firepower to a sometimes unstoppable attacking formation. However, with so much focus on going forward our defence were often left wide open & even with a fast flowing strikers we couldn't always get the win we so sorely needed that season.


In an early season match at Rugby Park, Celtic scored 3 second half goals coming from behind to beat Kilmarnock.


After going into the dressing room at Half-Time 1 down Celtic had to find a way to get back into the match. Having survived a scare early in the 2nd half when Kilmarnock should have doubled their lead, Di Canio & Cadete burst into life.


With an hour gone Di Canio picked up the ball near the half-way line & broke forward at pace before exchanging passes with Cadete on the edge of the Kilmarnock box. The Italian had slipped passed his marker in the box, he took one more touch to jink passed the last defender & then stabbed the ball with the outside of his boot into the bottom corner of the net, wrong footing the goalkeeper as Celtic drew level.


The hunger to get a winner was evident as the Italian retrieved the ball from the net to get the match started again.


Moments later Celtic found themselves ahead as we quickly broke up the park from a Kilmarnock corner. Cedete rode a heavy challenge on the half way line & made an inch perfect pass for Thom to complete the move with left footed finish.


A third goal was added in the final minutes when Di Canio slipped the ball through to his Portuguese team mate to wrap up the 3 points. The explosive introduction of Di Canio turned the match around & gave a clear indication of how Tommy Burns wanted his side to perform & entertain.