Over the last fifteen years, the diverse footballing talents of Robbie Keane, Craig Bellamy, Dion Dublin, Magnus Hedman, Willo Flood, Colin Healy, Adam Virgo, Darren Jackson, Danny Fox, and John Hartson have all represented the two clubs that lie closest to my heart. Gordon Strachan also managed both Coventry City and Celtic in this time, and I found it difficult to shift my attitude of a certain player when they eventually joined the second of the two clubs. For example, Robbie Keane could do no wrong at Celtic because of his wonderful season with the Sky Blues in 1999/2000. Alternatively, Craig Bellamy was always viewed with suspicion and angst due to his sheer awfulness in a sky blue shirt. Strachan’s success at Celtic was glossed over in my brain, preferring to save all my respect for the players on the park rather than a manager who relegated my first love from the English Premier League in 2001.

The player who stands out for me is John Hartson. Due to his connection with both clubs, and subsequent tragic events that shaped both of our lives, I hold him in high esteem. In his career, Hartson played for seven clubs on a permanent basis, making more appearances for Celtic than any other side he represented, and in turn only representing the Sky Blues on twelve occasions.

At the close of another year, is it safe to say that Neil Lennon’s Celtic have really turned the corner? The evidence would seem to suggest that Celtic are now turning in consistent performances and achieving a level very few would have thought possible, even a month ago.

On November 5th, things did indeed look precarious for Neil Lennon with Celtic a massive fifteen points behind the seemingly invincible Rangers. As the laptop loyal sharpened their crayons in anticipation of penning Lennon’s obituary, Celtic somehow managed to confound their biggest critics (and indeed a large section of the Celtic support) and turn the boat around as it headed for the rocks. With next Wednesday’s Old Firm game looming, the deficit has been dramatically slashed to just one single point with Celtic having home advantage.

To what do we attribute this fantastic comeback? To some the game at Rugby Park was the critical point, when Celtic managed to snatch honour from the jaws of ignominy. Three nil down at half time, it looked as if there was no way back for Lennon’s men. Whatever was said at half time had the desired effect and Celtic fought back to grab a draw.

What is sometimes forgotten is that Celtic are only now getting their best players back, Lennon seemed to be cursed with key players being injured and never having the luxury of playing a settled team. There was a constant need to play different players in new systems every game.

The effect this had on the balance of the team is obvious to everybody.