Celtic Multimedia | Media | About Celtic
Title: John Hartson – Celtic Dragon
Release Date:2005
Review By: Kevtic Feb 10th 2010
The early season started of well with Hesselink coming off the bench to score the winner on his debut against Hibs and continued his bright start with the only goal at Pittodrie and a brilliant strike against Man Utd at Old Trafford in the first of the Champions League games. Naka again scores a wonderful free kick but Celtic lose out 3-2 but the goals were to prove vital a few months later. The Man U game is also notable for Gravesen giving the ball away for 2 of the Utd goals and the commentary coming from Tony hamilton and channel67. This was the season of Paul Le Guen at rangers and it was almost as much fun watching them implode as seeing Celtic romp to title number 2. Kenny Miller got his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over rangers at Celtic Park. Naka scored a hat-trick at Tannadice and none of them were from a free kick. Celtic were storming clear and a last min winner against Hearts, courtesy of Craig Gordon pushing the ball into his own net, saw Celtic move 13 pts clear at the top. This was followed by a Gravesen hat-trick against St Mirren before history was made on November 21st when Man utd came calling in the Champions League. Who can forget that incredible night. The noise that greeted Naka's brilliant free kick was only matched by the roar that greeted Boruc's penalty save from Saha. The final whistle signalled Celtic's first time qualifying for the knockout phase although I remember on the night a lot of people didn't realise we had qualified.
Despite the high of the european triumph in the league the team had lost the swagger it had the year before and grindong outresults came the norm rather than the exception. There was no denying the fighting spirit of the team as it came back from being behind a number of times but the entertainment factor was starting go missing. The team were well ahead in the league as rangers and Hearts fell away. hearts were further weakened in January as Strachan brought Paul Hartley and more controversially Steven Pressley along the M8. Not long after Pressley was to return to Tynecastle as Celtic capt, a sight which more than a few Celtic fans found hard to stomach after Pressley's antics in previous games against Celtic. Pressley was to play a major part in Celtic's run to winning the Scottish Cup final. With a couple of mins left it looked like once again Inverness caley were going to knock Celtic out the cup but up popped Pressley to score the equaliser and Miller scored in the 92nd minute to put celtic through.
The European dream ended in the San Siro after 180 mins had failed to produce a goal. Although Celtic were denied a stonewall penalty in Milan. Also look out for the comedy dive by Gillardino in the first leg. A piece of brilliance by Kaka finally broke the deadlock in extra time but celtic left Milan with their head held high.
It was back to league business and after a ropey few games where Celtic dropped 8 pts the title was secured at Rugby Park much to the relief of the Celtic support. It typified the season's as a whole. A scrappy game was won by another piece of Naka magic whose free kick in the 92nd once again caught Coombs out. One for the scrap book in this game as the lesser spotted Dermott Desmond made a rare appearance.
Before the end of the season there was the odd sight of Celtic fans cheering a Hibs goal. Scored by Celtic's new signing Scott Brown.
Then it was the season finale – the Scottish Cup final. The fact the only highlight on the disc was the goal by Doumbe summed the game up. One of the most tedious and dull finals I've ever witnessed but it secured Strachan his 4th trophy.
Unlike Quick Silver this review showed more about the fighting quality of the Celtic side who ground out many a result. An admirable quality in any side but there was a lack of real flair that was there in abundance the season before. The exception to this was Nakamura who was outstanding and who deservedly picked up many POTY trophies. His free kicks were the highlight of the season.
Not much in the way of interviews with just Hesselink and Boruc saying a few words. Overall the DVD serves its purpose of reviewing the season but not one I would return to that much apart from to see Naka in full flight. One complaint I would have is not enough is made of Boruc's contribution. he was also outstanding this season and came to Celtic's rescue on a number of occasions. The highlights of the 2nd leg in Milan shows a few of his saves but he did this time and again throughout the season and deserved to have more of his contribution included.
Product Details
Production year 2007
Running Time 100 mins
DVD Region 2
Release date 11/16/2007
Number of discs 1
Catalogue No. CEL018
Studio – ITV DVD
Extras
None