Follow The Celtic Poem by Daniel McDonagh

I have followed the Celtic since I was a lad,
where I first went to Parkhead with my Granddad;
he stood in the 'Jungle' on that fine proud day
as I sat on his shoulders to watch the Celts play.

Parkhead was dancing, and it was a sight,
to see fans of all ages dressed in green & white,
I knew of one song that my father taught well,
the anthem of Celtic that began with a 'Hail'.

I knew of the players and which one had the ball,
from Gemmell to Johnson to Lennox & Auld,
and when Billy McNeill cleared the ball with his head,
I knew that wee Wallace would soon find the net.

In '75 I was standing at Hampden,
the Celts played the Airdrie in McNeil's last game,
the 'Tic won the trophy, the old Scottish Cup,
Big Billy said farewell, his playing days were up.

In the final of the League Cup of '76,
the Dons came to Hampden to challenge the 'Tic,
I stood with my father at Hampden's old ground
and he screamed his dismay as the Celtic went down.

'77 was a double for Stein,
the League & the Scottish Cup had ribbons of green,
but sad news had reached us from o'er Parkhead's way,
King Kenny had switched from the Clyde to the Mersey.

I was just fourteen when Celtic Park roared,
the 'Jungle' rejoiced when Murdo MacLeod scored,
wee Doyle was sent of against the red, white & blue,
the league championship was won by a score of 4-2.

It was green flags & banners down the old Gallowgate
as the fans of the Hoops would again celebrate,
McNeil had come home and he would make the 'Gers wait,
as the double was won in the year '88.

Another final at Hampden with a new strip to wear,
when McKinlay's crossed ball met the head of Pierre,
it found the back of the net and the Celts went one up,
Paul McStay held on proudly to the Old Scottish Cup.

Then Jansen & Larsson from Holland they came,
to sample the skill of the Scottish League game,
at Ibrox when Burley put the Celts up by three,
the League Cup was won o'er the men from Dundee.

As the season came down to the very last game,
the Bhoys of Parkhead had a stunning display,
with Larsson & Brattbak each scoring a goal,
the League Trophy of Scotland was finally home.

Then John Barnes was appointed as Celtic's new coach,
but the defeat by the Caley went down as no joke,
but the Celts won a trophy in that miserable season
as the League Cup was captured against Aberdeen.

Then an Irishman came in the shape of O'Neill,
as Parkhead saw history being played on the field,
the 'Treble' was won by a team that did shine,
like Jock Stein's Hooped heroes in the year '69.

The League flag flew proudly over Glasgow's east end,
as the Celtic raced on to be champions again,
a Larsson hat-trick & then two from John Hartson,
Paul Lambert lifted the trophy as Celtic's captain.

So I’ll follow the Celtic, 'til my day is done,
and remember the trophies the Celtic have won,
I hope in my time and before I reach heaven,
we have a repeat of the glory of 1967.

September'3rd 2002