Celtic, over the last two decades have enjoyed immense success with a vast number of Flag DAys to open the new season.
Celtic’s trophy history is littered with treble successes, doubles and classic cup finals that will go down in the memories of all Hoops supporters.
However, it was during the Martin O’Neill era when Celtic’s recent dominance started after a decade in the 90s when silverware was sparse.
After sealing the club’s first treble on season 2000/01 since the Jock Stein era, Celtic opened up the new season on Flag Day against St Johnstone.
And it was here that BBC man Ian Dennis recalls his big break into broadcasting and working with legendary Lisbon Lion Billy McNeill.
- READ MORE: ‘Too strong’ – Johan Mjallby totally rejects what ‘people say’ about Celtic vs Rangers games
BBC man’s ‘privilege’ of working with Celtic legend Billy McNeill
Dennis told Football Daily [37m], “I had a trial game for 5 Live, so I was at Radio Leeds, and it was with Ian Brown at Parkhead, it was Celtic vs St. Johnstone on the opening day of the season in 2001.
“And I knew that this was an opportunity to sort of like stake my claim to maybe move to the network, and so I felt a lot of pressure.
“I didn’t help myself, because blue is my favorite color, and I turned up to Parkhead with this royal blue bomber jacket, and I thought, what have I done?
“So I took that off, it was a baking hot day, and Brownie, to his credit, he said, ‘I’ll go first, I’ll give you 22 minutes grace’, and I was so nervous, I remember the hands were just soaked in the back of my shirt.
“I was really putting myself under so much pressure, and I’ll never forget Ian Brown, because he didn’t have to do what he did that day, because as you say, some commentators could be saying, oh no, junior member, you go first.
“And within 15 minutes, there was a towering header from Mjallby, who’d scored for Celtic, and I got it right. And I got a message from one of the editors, and basically it was gonna be, sit tight, we’ll come and get you.
“So I knew I’d done all right, and in fact the following week, I worked with John Murray then, and on both occasions with the great Billy McNeill and it was such a privilege to work with somebody of the stature of Billy McNeill.”
Billy McNeill’s incredible record at Celtic as player and manager
Billy McNeill will always be regarded as a true Celtic legend by every single Hoops supporter and such was his status at the club; he was affectionately known as ‘Cesar’ both during and after his career.
Having represented Celtic 790 times over his illustrious career, McNeill won every trophy he could lay his hands on at Paradise.
- Nine League titles
- The 1967 European Cup
- Seven Scottish Cups
- Six League Cups
As a manager, McNeill also enjoyed tremendous success at Celtic winning a further four league titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
