John Hartson on Celtic derby winner he ‘really enjoyed’; admits it wasn’t his best one

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Over the years, Celtic fans have been treated to a plethora of wonderful goals against Rangers in the Glasgow Derby. The Shunsuke Nakamura thunderblast. The Odsonne Edouard curling winner at Ibrox in the 3-2 win. Even Reo Hatate’s 20-yard strike in the 3-0 win at Celtic Park last season was a thing of beauty.

But former Celtic striker John Hartson has spoken about the winning goal he scored against Rangers that he looks back at fondly as one that gave him the most personal satisfaction. The 2005 Scottish Cup third round tie 2-1 win at Celtic Park.

Hartson said, “What was good about that goal against Rangers was that I signed a new contract.

“I signed a new two-year extension to my deal and I had to prove that I was worth it and that I had recovered fully from my back injury.

“I did that as I scored a lot of goals but that winner in the cup tie against Rangers was most pleasing as Martin O’Neill and the club were delighted that I proved my fitness as I had missed a lot of the season.

“I signed the new contract and we went out in that match and I flicked the header on for Chris Sutton to score the opener and then I scored the winner from a Sutton set-up.

“I really enjoyed that goal because I anticipated where the ball would land. I peeled away from Marvin Andrews and then had to direct a left-foot shot from a tight angle beyond Stefan Klos.

“It is not my best goal for the club by any stretch of the imagination – but it is one that gave me a lot of personal satisfaction whenever I look back at it.” [The Celtic Way]

And to think big John almost signed for Rangers back in 2000. Hartson enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Celtic as part of the Martin O’Neill side that brought home our first treble since the Jock Stein era.

He scored 110 goals for the club picking up three league titles, two Scottish Cups and a league cup. The big Welshman will also go down as a legend amongst the fans for his part in the 2003 UEFA Cup run that saw him score a wonder goal against Liverpool in the 2-0 win at Anfield.