ICON HITS MILESTONE No.7
SEPTEMBER 25, 1968:
SPENDING MONEY AT ANFIELD “The people who come to watch us play, who love the team, would never appreciate Liverpool having a huge balance in the bank. They want every asset we possess to be on the pitch wearing a red shirt.”
WINNING TITLE AT BLACKBURN “I had to know if I could make it somewhere else. I did not want to go through the rest of my life wondering what might have been without putting myself to the test.”
Kenny Dalglish makes his Celtic debut against Hamilton as a second-half sub in a 4-2 League Cup win. By season 1971/72 he has established himself, scoring 29 goals in 53 games. He goes on to make 338 appearances and wins four titles, four Scottish Cups and one League Cup.
NOVEMBER 10, 1971
Makes his Scotland debut in a 1-0 win over Belgium in a Euro qualifier at Pittodrie. He scores his first Scotland goal in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Denmark at Hampden on November 15, 1972 and goes on to play at the 1974, 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
MAY 15, 1976
Dalglish slips the ball through England keeper Ray Clemence’s legs to secure a famous 2-1 victory for Scotland at Hampden. A year later he repeats the scoring feat against the same keeper as Scotland win 2-1 at Wembley.
AUGUST 10, 1977
Leaves Celtic to join Liverpool for a British record transfer fee of £440,000. Ten days later, he scores within seven minutes of his league debut against Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park and also nets on his Anfield debut in a 2-0 win over Newcastle on August 23.
MAY 10, 1978
Scores the only goal in Liverpool’s win over Club Brugge in the European Cup Final at Wembley. Dalglish goes on to win two more European Cups, helping Liverpool beat Real Madrid 1-0 in 1981 and Roma on penalties in 1984.
MAY 29, 1985
Liverpool announce Dalglish will take a player-manager role the following season after Joe Fagan retires. He wins the league and cup Double in his first season in the dual role.
NOVEMBER 12, 1986
His 102nd and final Scotland cap – a national record – in a 3-0 Euro qualifying victory over Luxembourg at Hampden. His 30 international goals match Denis Law’s tally.
APRIL 15, 1989
Dalglish and Liverpool’s darkest hour as fans die in a crush at Hillsborough during the club’s FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest. Dalglish goes to almost every one of the 96 funerals and is a rock for the families as they demand justice for the lives lost.
MAY 1, 1990
Dalglish, having led Liverpool to their third title under his command, plays his final game, coming on as a second-half sub against Derby County. He retires with a record of 172 goals in 515 games for the Anfield outfit but carries on as manager until quitting for health reasons on February 22, 1991.
MAY 14, 1995
Blackburn Rovers, managed by Dalglish, win the English title for the first time since 1917. Two years later he leads Newcastle to runners-up spot. Becomes Celtic’s director of football in 1999 and caretaker gaffer before rejoining Liverpool. Guides the Reds to 2012 League Cup. Now a non-executive director at Anfield.
LEE CLARK would love to see Kris Ajer commit his long-term future to Celtic – unless he fancies a move to his beloved Newcastle United.
The former Kilmarnock boss knew the Norwegian was destined for stardom after taking the then teenager to Rugby Park for a loan stint.
Clark agreed with Brendan Rodgers to play him in midfield but it was part of a plan for him to eventually move back into the heart of the Hoops rearguard.
It worked to perfection with Ajer returning to Parkhead where he has lifted nine major honours but the 22-year-old is now coming to a crucial period in his career.
As he approaches the final year of his deal this summer, the player signed from Start five years ago has been linked with European big guns such as AC Milan.
Celtic will look to tie him down on an extension or be forced to cash in and Clark has huge sympathy for the Parkhead side and their Old Firm rivals in trying to compete financially with continental giants.
He only appreciated the size of the big two in Scotland during his year in Ayrshire and hopes they can hold on to their top men – unless St
James’ Park is the destination for Ajer. The born-and-bred Geordie, who spent eight years with the Magpies, has already been raving to his mates about the prospect of signing Ajer after he was linked in local media. Clark said: “Kris has all the attributes to play at the very top and I’m not surprised when I see him linked with the biggest clubs in Europe, whether that’s down here in England or Italy. “I know different clubs have been mentioned so it’s massive for Celtic to tie him down but it’s difficult because players naturally want to play in Serie A or the Premier League. Kris is an outstanding player and I really feel for the Old Firm because it’s tough for them to compete with smaller clubs in bigger leagues.
“They have such a worldwide fan base and when I managed up there it really hit home how big the two clubs are but they can’t compete financially with the giants in Europe.
“I just hope they can get to the level where they can be competitive in the Champions League and keep a hold of the likes of Kris Ajer.
“Well, maybe not in Kris’ case specifically because he’s been linked with Newcastle United in some north east media outlets! So with my Newcastle fan’s head on I hope that happens! My mates have all been asking me about him since he was mentioned and I told them if it comes off we’ll be getting a top player.
“But I’m not sure we’re in the market for a player of his value with the money that would be involved to land a player of his ability.
“I played with Darren Peacock who was similar in terms of size but was more of an old-school centre-half, physical and strong. Kris is more in the mould of his partners Steve Howey and Philippe Albert who were ball-playing defenders.
“He has turned into an excellent, accomplished centre-back for a huge club like Celtic and the Norway
NEIL LENNON famously spoke about bringing the thunder back to Parkhead when he was appointed Celtic boss first time around.
And Hoops punters want a similar figure to succeed the Northern Irishman who can pick up the pieces and challenge for next season’s title.
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: “The next Celtic manager needs to ignite fans’ passion again and more importantly needs to unite the support. The apathy that’s set in this season won’t be appeased by an uninspiring appointment. Get this right and get everybody back on board for one in a row.”
Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: “Frank McAvennie reckons Lennon’s problem was that he wasn’t allowed to bring in his own backroom staff.
“First time around Lennon had Alan Thompson, Garry Parker and Johan Mjallby on his staff. In that spell he couldn’t win the Treble.
“Second time around he completed the Treble in 2019 and in 2020 to become the first man in history to do so as a player and manager. He achieved this with John Kennedy, who was in place when he arrived. Maybe he’s not that good at picking his own staff.”
While Celtic fans scream for change, Rangers supporters continue the countdown to a first major trophy in a decade.
And Martin Baird, Glasgow, said: “The stark difference in the quality of support of fans through good and bad times has been clear to see.
“Rangers fans have follow followed in the footsteps of our team in full numbers to the bottom of Scottish football to back where we belong at the top.
“Then we see angry Celtic fans, after deservedly losing one title in a decade, threatening to never