Celtic only have two more matches before their 2024 comes to an end, and it is fair to say there have been plenty of highlights along the way.
Brendan Rodgers took his side to a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double last season despite some testing times along the way, marking his first campaign back in the dugout with a domestic double.
Building from a position of strength, Celtic won the Premier Sports Cup against Rangers earlier this month to ensure they enter 2025 defending all three Scottish trophies on offer.
Continuing their momentum, the Bhoys are unbeaten domestically and have also taken great strides in the Champions League and sit one win off securing knockout progression.
In what has been a momentous year for the club, 67 Hail Hail take a look at three of the most memorable wins that will be remembered for a long time to come.
3. Celtic 3-1 RB Leipzig (Champions League)
Coming in at third, Celtic’s memorable victory over RB Leipzig will go down as one of the Bhoys’ most famed victories on the European scene in recent years as a raucous Parkhead proved too much for Marco Rose’s men to handle.
Despite going behind courtesy of Christoph Baumgartner, Nicolas Kuhn replied with a stunning double before half-time. Reo Hatate made sure of three priceless points to seal a brilliant triumph against one of the Bundesliga’s finest sides.
All too often over the years, Celtic have failed to deliver Champions League moments to savour, but their win against that calibre of opposition was the prime example of what can happen when circumstances align to form the perfect storm.
There is a case for number three to be ranked higher, though there were two other standout contenders during a fantastic year for the club!
2. Celtic 1-0 Rangers (Scottish Cup final)
In at number two, Celtic’s Scottish Cup final triumph against Rangers back in May will go down in the history books for several reasons as they wrapped up a domestic double against their arch-rivals in dramatic fashion.
Truthfully, the encounter itself was devoid of much quality from either side until Adam Idah stepped up to score one of the most iconic goals in recent Bhoys’ memory.
Capitalising on a Jack Butland parry after Paulo Bernardo’s jinking run and shot, all the Irishman had left to do was to beat the Englishman before sparking scenes of jubilation that still give fans goosebumps every time the footage circulates on social media.
Significance also had it’s part to play, with Celtic moving level with Rangers’ all-time trophy record courtesy of securing a 42nd Scottish Cup. No spoilers here, but there are no prizes for guessing what happened next.
1. Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4 pens AET – Premier Sports Cup final)
Congratulations for guessing correctly! Celtic’s dramatic victory against Rangers on penalties in the Premier Sports Cup final was undoubtedly the game of the year, producing ecstacy, agony, drama and records being smashed all in one eventful afternoon.
Despite being initially pegged back, Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda forced their rivals’ hand before Nicolas Kuhn put the Bhoys in front minutes from time. Danilo Pereira replied almost straight from kick-off, setting the scene for one of the nerviest shootouts Hampden has seen in years gone by.
After being pushed to the wire, Celtic put on a characteristic show of mental fortitude to force glory over the line. Kasper Schmeichel saved from Ridvan Yilmaz, teeing up Maeda’s winning kick from 12 yards.
Maybe the emotion of the affair is still pretty raw combined with recency bias. Nevertheless, Celtic became Scotland’s all-time most successful club, not that the accolade had every been in any doubt prior to kick-off anyway!
Merry Christmas to all supporters no matter how you spend today. Hopefully, another brilliant year can be in store come 2025.
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