No McGrain, McClair Or Burns? But It’s Still My Celtic Top XI Since 1979.

It seems hard to imagine that there is an issue which could cause more disagreement and argument than Brexit.

But there is.

If you want a real challenge, a conundrum seemingly impossible to resolve, try picking the greatest Celtic 11 that you’ve ever seen.

And even harder than that, see if you get anyone to agree with all of your choices.

With the impending arrival of my 40th birthday, the topic arose of the best Celtic players in my lifetime, and how they would fit into an ideal first XI.

To be clear (and to try and explain some choices), there were some criteria involved in the final selection:

1) The players had to be those I regularly remember watching.

Although born in 1979 and attending my first game in 1981, around 1987 is the time of my first real footballing memories.

2) Players had to have been on Celtic’s books for at least two seasons.

Some outstanding players did less (Di Canio, Cadete, etc) and that questions their commitment, so no place.

3) The aim was to pick the best possible team, not simply the most exciting players.

Otherwise it might have been a 1-4-6 formation (with no goalkeeper).

This is the selection.

The arguments will no doubt follow.

Formation

Choosing a formation was the first headache.

This is not so much because of the need to pick a style which fits with modern tactics and game approaches, but rather the question of which players it would naturally include or exclude.

Numerous options abounded: 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-5-1.

Each has their own merits.

Traditional 4-4-2 systems give an order and structure to a team, which the more modern 4-5-1 tends to overlook in favour of fluidity.

In the end, the choice was for 3-4-3.

This was partly to ensure that certain players who couldn’t possibly be left out were part of the team, and also to fit in with the club’s attacking ideals.

But it does mean that certain outstanding players were no longer in contention, especially in positions such as full back.

Goalkeeper

These past four decades have been a mixed bag when it comes to Celtic goalkeepers.

There have been those whose name carries with it a mixture of hilarity and horror, in particular Carl Muggleton and Ian Andrews.

Of course, they were never to be considered for this team (but perhaps a future worst XI).

Fortunately there have also been some outstanding examples too, capable of dominating a box, saving shots and inspiring teammates.

In the final event, there were three goalkeepers fighting it out for first spot. So my number 1 is…

Pat Bonner

Bonner is chosen for a combination of ability and nostalgia.

When I first started attending games he was there, when I really remember going he was still there and it sometimes felt like the stadium announcer’s line, “Number one, Pat Bonner” would never be replaced.

Moreso than that though, he was a great keeper.

Big, brave and clearly an on-field leader, he was a hugely reliable choice.

Like all keepers he had mistakes in him, and his kicking could certainly have improved, but with him in goal the defence would have few worries.

Defence

As with goalkeepers, Celtic defenders in my lifetime have ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The choice of a 3-4-3 system excluded full backs. Unfortunately this means that players such as Jackie McNamara, Mikael Lustig, Kieran Tierney and even Danny McGrain are out.

Instead the system focuses on solidity from the back three, allowing attacking players more confidence as they go forward.

The three choices are:

Virgil van Dijk
Paul Elliott
Roy Aitken

In a back three system, these players tick all the boxes. Not only are they very strong in the air, Elliott and van Dijk in particular were also good on the ball, perhaps due to their continental experience.

The three are also strong leaders, although in this case Roy Aitken steps forward as the captain of this side.

It’s hard to imagine any player not pulling their weight when faced with the prospect of a mauling from the Bear.

Aitken and van Dijk also had the ability to carry the ball forward into more advanced positions, allowing flexibility in the event of attacks, to say nothing of the aerial threat all three would offer at corner kicks.

And if van Dijk does win the Ballon D’or, well how could he be excluded?

Midfield

In some ways, midfield is the hardest position to pick. Men such as Shunsuke Nakamura, Tommy Burns and Scott Brown could easily have staked a claim for inclusion.

If it was simply a question of choosing exciting players then it might only be filled with the attack minded.

But instead the aim is to pick a great team, so a balance with defensive players is needed too, giving this selection:

Paul Lambert
Paul McStay
John Collins
Lubomir Moravcik

This is a group of contrasts, which blended together provide stability and dynamism.

Paul Lambert – Champions League winner – would be the defensive lynchpin, sitting just in front of the defence.

Brilliant at disrupting opposition attacks, he could also offer a forward threat, shown not least with his thunderbolt against Rangers in the 1997-98 season.

Alongside, but a little in front of him, would be Paul McStay. My childhood hero, he was the “master of the pass” (as a song at the time had it).

He is the ideal candidate to collect balls that the defensive team have intercepted and find the attacking opportunities to exploit.

John Collins was arguably the most talented player at Celtic Park in the 1990s, it was a great shame he was not part of a much better team.

Even when up against Rangers’ domineering nine-in-a-row team, Collins was able to command games in Scotland and abroad, to say nothing of his many spectacular goals and free kicks.

And finally, Lubo. Quite simply one of the finest players – and men – to feature at the club in recent decades.

His on-field exploits need no description: beautifully talented, capable of beating men, pinpoint passes as well as spectacular goals, and that was even as age began to catch up with him.

But a wider story should be told, highlighting not just footballing prowess but also humanity.

In the 2001 Scottish Cup Final, Lubo came off injured, with a knock that would leave him on crutches for some time.

Moravcik was due to play a friendly game in Lochee (in Dundee) the next day, a benefit match for a young father than had died.

Large numbers of tickets were sold on the basis of the Slovak’s attendance.

Many assumed the injury – and crutches – would mean no Lubo appearance.

Instead he still travelled to Dundee, and even kicked off the game, albeit being immediately substituted.

To go out of his way to help those that needed it, even in the face of his own problems, is a true testimony to the greatness that needs to find a way into the team.

Attack

As with midfield, it feels terrible to leave out so many outstanding individuals, especially people like John Hartson.

Again the need is to strike a balance, in this case great finishers but also those that contribute to the wider team.

Chris Sutton
Dariusz Dziekanowski
Henrik Larsson

The inclusion of Henrik Larsson doesn’t need any words whatsoever; quite simply the best Celtic player in my lifetime, able to score and create goals, and work for the wider team.

A genuine phenomenon, albeit that this wasn’t my thoughts when leaving Easter Road after his debut…

Chris Sutton was another guaranteed first pick.

Sutton was far and away Martin O’Neill’s best signing (for which there is genuine competition).

As well as being an attacking threat he was so versatile that he could play anywhere, and often did revert to defensive duties.

The final choice of Dariusz ‘Jacki’ Dziekanowski is perhaps more open to debate, and certainly was in my head.

On his game he was an amazing finisher, with a brilliant first touch and general movement.

He also played a starring role in one of my most memorable childhood games, namely 5-4 versus Partisan Belgrade.

And now that Victoria’s nightclub on Sauchiehall Street has burned down, it seems safe to bring Jacki into the team…

Substitutes

Substitutes were chosen based on replacing one player per position (so goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack).

Goalkeeper – Artur Boruc
Defender – Marc Rieper
Midfielder – Alan Thompson
Attacker – Andreas Thom

Any one of these players could easily have fitted into the first XI.

Artur Boruc is a standout keeper. Not only was actually a great player, certainly in the top three goal custodians since Ronnie Simpson, but he was clearly passionate about the club.

Marc Rieper was a player of huge quality. Another defender who was not only adept at stopping the opposition but also composed on the ball. It was a huge pity that he only played just over one season due to injury (although he was technically a registered player for more than two years).

Alan Thompson scored one of my favourite goals, the last minute winner against Rangers in 2004. He was also a tenacious fighter, and capable of defensive duties too.

Andreas Thom was another player whose skills deserved better than the team he played in.

As well as an ability to shoot from distance, he was a forward more akin to a creator, with a first touch that allowed him to take opposition players out of the game, and set up teammates.

Final Thoughts

The final XI selection was thus (based on a 3-4-3 formation):

Bonner
Van Dijk
Elliott
Aitken (c)
Lambert
McStay
Collins
Moravcik
Sutton
Dziekanowski
Larsson

This is a team which combines defensive prowess with a phenomenal attacking ability (albeit admittedly being slightly weaker down the right).

It’s a formidable side, full of genuine club legends that lit up Celtic Park and grounds across Europe.

And in my view, it’s the best XI that can be drawn from my time supporting Celtic, up to my 40th birthday.

Who could possibly disagree with that?

Matthew Marr is a Celtic fan and blogger from Glasgow … this is his 40th birthday week! 

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