When Ian Bankier was presented to the Celtic AGM in 2011 as a lifelong Hoops fan, I had a simple enough question for him in the Parkhead presser:
“Who was your first Celtic hero?”
The grey man in the grey suit stumbled and stammered about the Catholic school he attended.
It was toe-curling to observe.
As ever, your humble correspondent wasn’t in the queue for succulent lamb that day.
The assembled stenographers were mortified that this interloper from Ireland was in a presser and asking questions that weren’t of the softball variety.
As I recall, the CEO of Heated Driveway Productions had a similarly uncomfortable time from your humble correspondent.
I had a reason for putting that question to the new Celtic chairman as a well-placed source had briefed me that he was no more a Hoops fan than Chick Young was seriously into St Mirren!
My reason for doing so was that he had been advertised to the AGM as a lifelong fan of the club.
I know that was pish, and it irked me.
Of course, the answer to this question always dates you.
If the roles had been reversed, I would have replied instantly, “Jinky!”
Sitting on a crush barrier being held securely by my grandfather, I was mesmerised by the cheeky performance art of a red-headed delinquent taunting his opponents.
I was blessed to see him in his prime up close and personal.
By some distance, this is the greatest treasure on my Celtic bookshelf.
For an eleven-year-old in 1969, this pressie made my Christmas just perfect!
At that age, though, I couldn’t process the historical enormity of what I was watching in the creaky old amphitheatre that was Paradise.
A world-class ensemble of local heroes marshalled and trained by a tactical genius who was re-defining the beautiful game.
I watched that stadium be demolished and the new one erected in its place.
Again, the thirtysomething me didn’t realise that this was the basis of the current Hooped hegemon was being poured into the foundations of the new Celtic Park.
It would be the venue for new heroes for enthralled Bhoys and Ghirls.
For my own fella, it was Henke, then Naka.
So, for a later generation of young fans, it would be the laid-back Aussie that Brendan Rodgers dubbed “the magic man”.
The career of a professional footballer is inevitably short.
This is the most human and understandable of reasons for the Australian’s decision to announce his retirement from the game.
We had some great times together, mate!
Some really immortal memories.
My personal favourite Tom Rogic memory was the day the big Aussie did his nonchalant thing with only minutes left in the 2017 Cup final.
It must have been amazing to be there as he glided past the Aberdeen defence.
He cemented his place in Celtic history with that rare right-foot finish past Joe Lewis.
I wasn’t at Hampden that historic day.
Instead, I was standing on a seat at the back of O’Gilin’s pub in Cais do Sodré.
There were thousands of us in the Portuguese capital that weekend for the 50th anniversary of that day in May when Jinky and the rest of the Lions became immortal.
It was mighty.
I was back in the same teach tábhairne in November 2019 to watch another nonchalant finish, this time in Rome.
Olivier Ntcham was the epitome of Gallic aplomb as he dinked it over Thomas Strakosha.
That victory in Stadio Olimpico WAS a moment for a club that has underperformed in Europe for a generation.
Given who the opposition was that night in Italy made it especially sweet.
Just like a win in the Glasgow Derby, I love it when fascists are defeated and deflated.
Now, I’m fervently hoping for another hero in Hoops tonight when we take on Mussolini’s XI.
I’m delighted that my conspiratorial abilities are still functioning, as over the past few days, I got a ticket for a fellow Irishman who has travelled from Australia to watch this match.
Tommy, from my father’s town in Mayo, is living the life Down Under.
So, all the way from Surfer’s Paradise to, well, Paradise to watch the Hoops.
It is a love that the corporate suits couldn’t envisage.
For the avoidance of doubt, I suspect that Ian Bankier won’t be too bothered about the result.
I really don’t.
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Too many to mention. Jinky, I believe to this day, was the best player with the ball at his feet I ever saw. He could wriggle his arse and send the Jungle the wrong way.
Kenny? A truly wonderful player. Danny? Cast from the same mould. McStay and cheeky Charlie.
Henke and Lubo, both of whom I met socially on many occasions. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the best years of Henrik, Lubo was a genius who came in the twilight years of his career. He could make a ball do stuff with his feet most people couldn’t make it do with their hands.
Big Sutton, one of the most versatile players I remember playing for us. He was equally comfortable at CF, CM or CB.
Of the current crop, the three regular Japanese players, O’Riley, Calmac. Frankly I think we have the makings of a right good side here, and tying so many of them up on long term contracts means that there’s now at least a CHANCE we’ll see it develop and come to fruition.
Back to the subject of piece. Long Tom was special. And I smile inwardly, maybe even outwardly, when I recall some of the amazing moments he gave us. The goal that clinched the Invincitreble has etched him forever into Celtic folklore. He deserves that kind of recognition. Take care big man. Enjoy your family. You get one chance with the childhood of your kids. Those are years you can’t ever get back. It’s a wise man who realises that before it’s too late. Sadly it was a wisdom I lacked.
Tam O’Thunder will never walk alone, he will have our thanks and praises for decades to come.
Was at school with Ian Bankier. He was not interested in football.
After the disappointment of last nights result against Lazio reading Toms letter puts it in perspective
It was only a football match and the club will move on
What Tom and his family have been through is harder than losing a football match .
Over the years both Peter and Dermot have had much criticism from the fans but reading what they did for Tom and his family is heartwarming ,who knows what else they do to help others behind the scenes .
Tom Rogic was a great servant to the club and scored many important goals
for us
I’m sure every Celtic fan will wish him and his family all the very best for the future .
Boyhood Hero for me
Will always be Danny McGrain
At his peak one of the worlds best .
McStay for me.
Not really that fussed whether the Chairman was a boyhood supporter. Always reckon that caring whether people ‘get the club’ is for the other lot and symptomatic of an unhealthy institutional id. Id be more concerned about why the club felt the need to present him as a lifelong fan if it wasn’t true. But, personally, I don’t need the Chairperson to be a fan of that kind.
Lovely message from Rogic. A wonderful footballer.
The Wizard of Oz.
Great player.
Great man.
Legend.
Charlie Nicolas and Tommy Burns.
I have 2 claims to fame though, saw Davey Moyes debut, he was rotten, Went to the same primary school at Jinky 👍
Tom Rogic, what a fine man to put his wife and kids first.
He has plenty glory and memories to last a life time but kids are more special than any goal or trophy.
A classy letter from a classy individual.