The 12 Apostles Of Celtic Poem by Daniel McDonagh

It was the poor, the desolate and the starvation
That was bestowed to Glasgow’s Irish nation,
But the east end of Glasgow would benefit in Brother Walfrid’s eyes
His dream of football being played at Paradise.

For Celtic’s first ever game,
The team sheet included Wullie Maley’s name,
For forty years he served the Celts with pride
Where trophies were covered in green & white.

In a tiny village, the holy city of Croy,
Was born to Celtic, a broad shouldered boy,
Jimmy Quinn grew and played with no fear,
As defenders & goalies were reduced to tears.

An ocean of sadness for one of Parkhead’s sons
As we lost the bravery & courage of young John Thompson,
Stolen from our hearts, wrenched from our souls,
He’d never again stand within Celtic’s post.

Of Ireland’s legendary heroes
Each one has a rousing story,
But the tales became a reality
When Celtic signed Charlie Tully.

Our history revolves around big Jock Stein,
9 league championships in a row for the bhoys in green,
But it was a sunny night in the town of Lisbon
That his team of heroes became European Champions.

Who was the best player I’ve ever seen
To proudly wear the hoops of green,
A father was asked by his son,
It had to be the immortal skills of Jimmy Johnstone.

Caesar didn’t live in the vicinity of Rome,
Celtic Park was were he made his home,
He pulled on the hoops, led the team on the field,
Caesar wasn’t Roman, he was Billy McNeil.

Kenny Dalglish was Celtic’s shining star,
Parkhead was his home, his arena,
The goals he scored, the style he played,
He was a legend in his own era.

A Calton boy by birth, a Celtic man at heart,
Tommy Burns gave all, when playing at Celtic Park,
Twist and turns, his skill was no luck,
As manager, he brought home, the Scottish Cup.

Talent, poise, grace and skill
That was possessed by Paul McStay,
To play and captain the Celtic was his fate,
He’s remembered as one of Celtic’s greats.

As the Son of God in Celtic colours,
Henrik Larsson can walk on water,
King of Parkhead, our famous number seven,
When he leaves, the angels will cry in heaven.

Oct'17th 2003