Three iconic moments that make Jackie McNamara a Celtic great

By Connor Gordon

February 11, 2020

Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara is recovering from an illness in hospital.

The ex-Scotland international is with friends and family and everyone wishes him all the best.

McNamara is a man who needs no introduction when it comes to his involvement in this football club.

The man’s list of achievements would fill several best selling novels and then some.

However, here are three iconic moments which makes McNamara the Celtic great he is today.

Jackie McNamara helps stop 10 in a row

Perhaps the biggest feat in the 1990s for the Hoops was stopping Rangers’ attempt at 10 consecutive league titles.

McNamara and co helped maintain the record set by Jock Stein’s Hoops in the 60s and 70s of nine titles.

Jackie McNamara in action for Celtic in 1998. (Photo by Stu Forster/Allsport)

The rest as they say is history, but in such an important campaign, McNamara scooped a personal accolade.

The 24-year-old defender was given the Scottish players’ Player of the Year for the 1997/98 season.

In a season where there were so many top players in several teams across the divisions, McNamara’s fellow pros recognised the boyhood fan’s contribution.

Scoring the first goal for Celtic in Scottish Cup final

McNamara wrote himself further into the history books by kicking off Martin O’Neill’s treble celebrations.

He scored the first goal in the 2001 Scottish Cup final against Hibernian which the Hoops won 3-0.

Jackie McNamara celebrates the opener in the Scottish Cup in 2001 (Photo by Michael Steele /Allsport)

McNamara cushioned a nice ball across the post which trickled into the net.

The goal did himself a lot of favours as he was in and out the treble winning side that season.

Unfortunately, McNamara was unable to play in the League Cup final win against Kilmarnock due to suspension.

Winning the Scottish Football Writers Award

McNamara became more prominent in the first team in the latter years of his time with the Hoops.

Following the disappointment in Seville, the Celts bamboozled most teams in the following 2003/04 season.

Jackie McNamara during his 2003/04 award winning season. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

McNamara was such an integral force at the back and in attack for the Hoops who stormed the league title.

He was rightly awarded the Scottish Football Writers footballer of the year gong at the end of the campaign.

McNamara beat the likes of big hitters Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton – showing how valuable he was that season.

The ex-Scotland international made 33 appearances for his country during his career.

He made a further 256 during his glittering Celtic career where he was awarded the captaincy.

McNamara will prove his fighting spirit which won him so much glory on the pitch and come out on top again at the end of this illness.