Celtic F.C.

Celtic Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Celtic (pronounced 'seltic') or 'the Bhoys' (pronounced 'b-hoys'), are one of the world's most famous football clubs. Based in the Scottish city of Glasgow, the club is officially nicknamed the Bhoys, or unofficially the Hoops.

Recent Achievements

2004-2005 and the last day upset

In 2004-2005, Celtic finished last in their group in the Champions League, knocking the club out of European competition (a third-place Champions League group finish would have parachuted Celtic into the UEFA Cup). Following a nerve-wracking race for the SPL title, with Rangers closely following, the club extended their lead at the top of the SPL table to two points as they lined up for the final game of the season, with only a win at Motherwell required to seal the title. With two minutes remaining on the clock, Celtic were leading 1–0 — a result which would have handed them the crown. However, Motherwell's Scott McDonald, apparently a Celtic supporter himself, netted two last-minute goals and handed the Fir Park side a stunning victory. Subsequently, Rangers defeated Hibernian 1–0 away from home to pip Celtic for the title.

Related Topics:
2004 - 2005 - Champions League - Motherwell - Scott McDonald - Hibernian

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Despite the disappointment, Celtic ended the season one week later with a 1–0 win over Dundee United in the Scottish Cup Final, which was marked by fans as Martin O'Neill's final match as manager.

Related Topics:
Dundee United - Scottish Cup

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O'Neill leaves

On 25 May 2005, O'Neill announced that he would resign as manager of Celtic at the end of 2004/05 season, along with first team coach Steve Walford and assistant manager John Robertson. It was widely reported that O'Neill decided to take time out of football in order to care for his ailing wife Geraldine, who is currently battling lymphoma.

Related Topics:
25 May - 2005 - John Robertson - Lymphoma

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The Strachan Era and Bratislava

Former Aberdeen hero and Scotland international Gordon Strachan from Edinburgh took charge of the club on June 1, 2005, on a 12-month rolling contract, similar to O'Neill's arrangement with the club; his contract effectively extending for one calendar year from any current date. Garry Pendrey was appointed as Strachan's assistant manager.

Related Topics:
Aberdeen - Gordon Strachan - June 1 - 2005

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In his first competitive match in charge of the club against Artmedia Bratislava on 27 July 2005, Celtic lost 5-0 in the first leg of an important Champions League 2nd Round qualifier, suffering the worst single European defeat in the club's history and the biggest goal margin defeat since the 1963-64 season, when the club lost 6-0 to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Related Topics:
Artmedia Bratislava - 27 July - 2005 - Champions League - Kilmarnock

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In Strachan's first domestic match of the 2005-2006 SPL season, Celtic relinquished a 3-1 half-time lead over Motherwell at Fir Park on July 30, 2005, then struggled to equalise in injury time when Motherwell almost notched up a 4-3 victory. The game ended in a 4-4 draw, thanks to a late strike from Craig Beattie.

Related Topics:
Motherwell - July 30 - 2005

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The nine goals against Celtic in Strachan's first two competitive matches is the biggest goal tally scored against the club in successive matches in 14 years.

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In the return leg of the Champions League 2nd Round qualifier against Artmedia at Celtic Park, Strachan's vastly improved side notched up four goals without reply, but failed to gain the fifth goal that would have taken the match into extra-time, and subsequently, Celtic exited the season's competitive European football.

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