1974 hero Tommy says Celts should be handed title but feels for stars and fans who didn’t realise McGregor’s strike v Saints was the moment league crown was won

IT was a bit of magic from one of Scotland’s greatest-ever players to seal a record-equalling title and spark euphoria.

Kenny Dalglish went down in history as the man who clinched Celtic’s ninth straight championship when his solo wonder goal earned Jock Stein’s men a 1-1 draw and the point they needed against Falkirk in April 1974.

The history-making Hoops players embarked on a lap of honour around Brockville to the delight of the huge following as they made up for the disappointment of the European Cup semi-final exit to Atletico Madrid.

It might not have been a vintage performance against the Bairns, relegated to the second tier, but Dalglish’s quality goal was a fitting way to seal it after the home side had taken the lead.

Brian Laudrup also scored to clinch nine in a row for Rangers in 1997 and the fact it’s only been achieved twice underlines the enormity of the feat.

That tie with Falkirk was the first of four draws to finish by gaVin BeRRy the campaign as Celts continued to dominate Scottish football and for Tommy Callaghan – who played in all but the first three title wins – it was a dream day.

And the ex-midfielder would hate for the current crop to be denied a moment like that if this season is declared over because of the coronavirus.

Callaghan, 74, works at Parkhead on matchdays and was at the last game, a 5-0 win over St Mirren

Callum McGregor expertly converted a spot-kick in the final minute to complete a routine romp after a Leigh Griffiths hat-trick and Odsonne Edouard strike.

Following his penalty, McGregor turned and casually walked back to his team-mates to celebrate as his team moved 16 points clear at the top before Rangers cut that gap with a win at Ross County.

McGregor could hardly have known there was a chance it’d be the historic final goal of a nine-in-a-row season.

If he did there’s a fair chance he’d have celebrated a bit more wildly and there wouldn’t have been an empty seat, unlike those who had made an early exit.

Callaghan hopes there is more football to be played but agrees with Hoops boss Lennon and skipper Scott Brown if the final ball has been kicked, and McGregor’s goal was the last, then Celtic should be awarded the title.

He said: “I would really love for them to be able to go out and actually win it rather than for the title to be handed to them after the suspension.

“It’d take an awful lot away from the achievement if that is what transpires because too many people would point to it and say, ‘Ah but you never actually won it’.

“That’d be a shame. They’ve been by far the best team over the season and deserve to be crowned champions so I’d hate for there to be any feeling of anticlimax.

“Nine in a row is fantastic and I’d like to win it the proper way but the coronavirus has taken the world by storm.

“Like Kenny in 1974, you’d want to go down in folklore as the player who scored the goal that clinched nine in a row. “If the season stopped now then you’d be looking at McGregor’s penalty – and nobody was thinking about that at the time. “That’s why the players will want to go out and really earn it so nobody can point fingers. But if the season is to be halted, Celtic should still be awarded the title. They are so far ahead with so few games to play and they will take it but I hope it doesn’t come to that.”