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Details
Title: Happy Birthday Dear Celtic
Author: Douglas Beattie
Published: 2009
ISBN: 978 1905326 70 9
ISBN-10: 190532670X
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Vision Sports Publishing (21 Sep 2009)
Synopsis
For a club steeped in history like perhaps no other, Celtic's centenary season was always going to be notable. But to achieve a glorious league and cup double in the midst of a period of domination by arch rivals Rangers – whilst battling for the very survival of the club – made 1987/88 one of the Hoops' most memorable ever. Radio 4 journalist Douglas Beattie has tracked down the Celtic team of '88 to reveal the inside story of this thrilling and unexpectedly glorious period in the club's history.
Review
'Happy Birthday Dear Celtic' is a very welcome trip down memory lane to the wonderful days of the Bhoys' Centenary season.
Author Douglas Beattie – a Radio 4 journalist and lifelong Hoops fan – tracks down many of the heroes of that unforgetable season to retell a footballing fairytale. Starting with the axing of Davie Hay and the clandestine manouvres to bring Billy McNeill back to Parkhead, the book takes in every twist and turn on what was an incredible journey to a league and Scottish Cup double.
With contributions from Billy McNeill, Jack McGinn, Roy Aitken, Frank MacAvennie, Andy Walker, Mick McCarthy and Chris Morris (to name but a few), Beattie offers the reader an entertaing insight into the reality behind this dream season.
As seasons go few can match 1987/88 for sheer drama and in its 230 plus pages 'Happy Birthday Dear Celtic' covers the many highs and the occasional lows of that remarkable campaign. The glorious victories over Rangers, the magnificence of Paul McStay, last gasp semi-final drama against Hearts and that wonderful climax against Dundee United are all here in wonderfully evocotive detail.
So too are moments like the infamous trial of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' and the remarkable red card reception given to Maggie Thatcher at the cup final.
A thoroughly enjoyable romp through one of the greatest seasons in the history of the Hoops 'Happy Birthday Dear Celtic' is simply a delight.
Review By: GlenTimTim