2012 will always be remembered by Celtic fans for two reasons.
The first, was the Parkhead club’s famous win over Barcelona at Celtic Park when Tony Watt scored that famous goal to record a win over the Catalan giants in the Champions League.
The second reason is that in 2012 Celtic fans witnessed the demise of Rangers and that in itself needs no explanation.
However, Jason Naismith, explains how facing one of the Celtic heroes who played in that famous win over Barcelona left him with egg on his face after admitting to ‘rubbing his hands’ when he heard he was up against him when he played for St Mirren.
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Celtic hero Charlie Mulgrew was ‘so football-smart’
Charlie Mulgrew was a popular player amongst the Celtic support during his playing days. Even now, the Hoops support still enjoy the former Parkhead defender’s quick wit and one liners.
However, in 2014, Mulgrew delivered a football lesson that was just as cutting as his humour as former St Mirren defender Naismith explains here after being asked who was his toughest-ever opponent.
Naismith told The Press & Journal, “I played against Charlie Mulgrew when he was at Celtic, playing left midfield.
“I was rubbing my hands when the team sheet came out but he schooled me. He was terrific. I felt so inferior. He was such a good player.
“He wasn’t a conventional winger. Against Celtic, you expect to face wingers, but Charlie was just so football-smart and that taught me so much.”
The game in question was Celtic’s 4-0 win in Paisley where Mulgrew scored the opening goal in the second half which sparked a collapse in the Buddies.
Charlie Mulgrew’s stunning Celtic record
Charlie Mulgrew was incredibly let go by Celtic in his youth days but found his way back to Paradise when Neil Lennon signed him in 2010.
In six years at Celtic, Mulgrew enjoyed immense success:
- 5 x Scottish Premiership titles
- 2 x Scottish Cups
- 208 appearances
- 29 goals
- 34 assists
- Wins over Ajax, Barcelona and Spartak Moscow in the Champions League
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