Former Celtic striker Mark Viduka has been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Viduka spent over 18 month at Parkhead between 1998 and 2000 before moving to Leeds United. During that short spell the Australian became a fan-favourite and managed to secure a trophy in the Scottish League Cup in 2000.
The Aussie managed 43 senior appearances for the Australian national team, scoring 11 goals and captaining them to the 2006 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds.
Viduka did start slowly at Celtic when he arrived in December 1998. However, in his only full season in Glasgow, he would slam home 25 goals, won the Golden Boot, and secure the Players’ Player of the Year award. It was as successful a campaign as he could’ve hoped.
His £6m move to Leeds was hugely disappointing given his short period of time with the club. But Viduka himself has always maintained that he left his heart out on the pitch during his Parkhead days [Daily Mail].
Viduka would make an impact down south, also having spells with Middlesbrough and Newcastle United. And after a superb career, the former Hoops striker will join the likes of Harry Kewell in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Mark Viduka – a Celtic what might’ve been
Viduka was undoubtedly hugely successful in his only full season at Parkhead. However, his Celtic career will always be plagued with the overshadowing thought of what might’ve been.
The Australian showed incredibly technique during his time in Scotland. Had he stayed into the Martin O’Neill days, it would’ve been interesting to see how he would’ve fared in such an exciting side.
Then again, who’s to say Celtic would’ve signed Chris Sutton who was seen as the Viduka replacement. The money received from Leeds certainly went a long way to getting Chris in the door.
Regardless, it’s a shame how Viduka’s career ended in Scotland. It still isn’t a move that goes down too well with Celtic supporters when brought up. But his impact here can’t be denied.
His achievements in that 1999-2000 campaign speak for themselves. So congrats go out to Mark for what will undoubtedly be a huge honour for him.
In other news, “I did try”; Steve Clarke finally explains Celtic man Anthony Ralston call-up issue
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
