Things were different in the days when Peter Grant played for Celtic.
Grant showed his commitment to his boyhood heroes amid a time of financial turbulence, and was eventually rewarded with a long-awaited Scottish Cup win in 1995.
He left Celtic after a glamorous testimonial against Bayern Munich in 1997, and the Hoops finally won their first league title of the decade a year later.
Grant is very much remembered for his effort more than his ability, but over 350 league appearances for the club can’t be sniffed at,
He’s now a regular face in the media sphere, offering his opinions on the Hoops sides of today – but not without giving a great insight into his playing days.
Peter Grant on the only time he raised hands in the Celtic dressing room
You definitely wouldn’t want to mess with Grant in his playing days – as an opponent, let alone a teammate.
But one Hoops defender did exactly that in 1993.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill hears glowing reference from Alistair Johnston on Celtic-bound Wilfried Nancy
Grant told the Go Radio Football Show of the one time that his temper got the better of him in the dressing room – despite a comfortable win.
He said: “There was only one time I lifted my hands in the dressing room.
“It was Arbroath, believe it or not. Celtic against Arbroath. I think Danny [McGrain] was the manager of Arbroath at the time. We beat them 9-1 in the League Cup, I’m sure. I think it was something like 9-1.
“And right at the end of the game, Dariusz Wdowczyk tried a step-over at the edge of the box and lost possession at 9-0, gave the ball away, and the boy scored.
“I thought it was disrespectful to Celtic supporters, and Danny McGrain, moreso. So I wasn’t happy at all.
“And I ran in the dressing room, and I’m trying to slug him one for being disrespectful to Danny McGrain, who was my hero.
“And that was the only time I lifted my hands in the dressing room. Arguments? 100%. Training ground, wanting to go for each other? For sure. But it was always done and dusted.”
Peter Grant, Dariusz Wdowczyk and Arbroath 1-9 Celtic
Grant’s memory is right – Celtic won the game 9-1, despite the season not being a memorable one for the Celts.
In the last season at the old Celtic Park, the Hoops finished 4th in the SPL and lost in the semi-final of both cup competitions. Liam Brady resigned just months into the season and was replaced by Lou Macari.
As for Wdowczyk, the season was to be his last for the club, before moving on to Reading.
The game remains the heaviest defeat in Arbroath’s history.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
