| The Celtic Wiki Book of the Year 2010 | Media | Celtic Books |
Details
Title: Celtic's Greatest Games
Author: David Potter
Published: February 2010
What They Say
Celtic are a club of legend. This book brings together 50 of Celtic's greatest games throughout their great history including
- their first epic win of the Scottish Cup in 1892,
- the mighty Scottish Cup Final hat-trick of Jimmy Quinn in 1904,
- the greatest come-back Cup Final of them all in 1931,
- the 7-1 defeat of Rangers in 1957,
- the night that "Ten Men Won The League" in 1979,
- the games against Dundee United in 1985 and 1988,
- and a few more recent triumphs.
Celtic were, of course, the first British team to win the European Cup in 1967, and that and other triumphs in Europe over Leeds United and Liverpool are covered in this compendium of Celtic's greatest performances.
Review
Celtic's Greatest Games is a book title which is likely to have even the most bibliophobic of Tims rushing to log on to Amazon.
Featuring 50 of the Bhoys' most memorable matches, author David Potter takes the reader on an unforgettable journey to the pinnacle moments of Celtic's history. For any Hoops fan it is always a pleasure to relive these most wonderful of occasions, but with Potter as your guide you are guaranteed to get much more than mere dry accounts of a sporting encounter.
Few Celtic historians capture a sense of time and place quite like David Potter. His immaculate research coupled with an engaging and evocative writing style frequently helps to transport the reader back in time. That skill is demonstrated perfectly in Celtic’s Greatest Games.
Covering a period from 1888 to 2009 every notable Celtic triumph is here. From the inaugural victory over Rangers to the eternal glories of the Empire Exhibition Trophy, Coronation Cup and European Cup, each priceless game is etched out in detail within its own dedicated chapter.
Hampden in the Sun is of course included along with more recent highlights like the 6-2 game and both domestic cup finals from the 2000/01 treble season. There are plenty of chapters dedicated to the Stein-era while latter games such as the 1985 Scottish Cup final and the Hampden climax to the club's Centenary season three years later are all featured.
Some 15 of the matches featured are from the pre-Second World War era and it is in these chapters that Potter's wonderful storytelling ability really comes to the fore. His vivid redrawing of games takes you to the heart of the packed terraces of the old Hampden and Celtic Park. You can almost see the massed ranks of flat capped supporters and feel the biting, swirling wind whipping around the packed grounds.
On the pitch the personalities of players come alive, allowing the reader to revel in both the achievements and entertaining magnetism of men like Peter Somers and Patsy Gallacher. Potter is also not afraid to weave a little social history into his work and this allows the current day reader to understand exactly what it meant to be a Celtic fan in the days of their grandfather or great grandfather.
Any 'list' book is likely to spark debate about those candidates which have been excluded. Celtic's Greatest Games is no different and the omission of the 2003 UEFA Cup final is certain to have some fans scratching their head in puzzlement. The author's argument – and one that I personally agree with – is that as a defeat the match with Porto doesn't deserve to be included among so many wonderful triumphs. There's no doubt however that many of those who experienced the magical atmosphere of Seville will passionately argue otherwise.
Although I agree with David on the omission of Seville I’m not so sure the 2009 2-0 League Cup final victory over Rangers warrants as inclusion. That though can be the only gripe about a truly wonderful book.
David Potter's Celtic's Greatest Games is a gem. Entertaining, evocative and informative it is a must read to anyone who holds Celtic's history close to their hearts.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Know the Score Books (12 Feb 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1848182031
- ISBN-13: 978-1848182035
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.4 x 2.8 cm