Zoom, just one look & the Hoops went boom .. moon and stars came out to play
When Billy McNeill, Bertie Auld & Co were nine-in-a-row trailblazers, success was toasted by bevvy rather than Zoom sessions.
But yesterday was more than just a technological sign of sobering times.
This was an online gathering of a club making the most of a coronavirus lockdown with a laptop of honour to mark their historic victory in the most trying of circumstances.
MailSport joined almost 50,000 fans on YouTube for the #HoopsAtHome 9 in a Row Show.
A new normal of live steaming, depending on your tipple, it was a party over the internet to mark this season’s achievement.
Cyber Celts from far and wide logged in for 90 minutes of chat and high jinks from players, staff and celebrities.
A truly global celebration as there were hail hails on the web chat from supporters far and wide – Australia, Canada, Bulgaria and even a few from
Bognor Regis. All forms of social media were best avoided for any Rangers fans loitering about Twitter around 3pm.
Certainly #HoopsAtHome party was no place for the Light Blues to gatecrash, a hashtag best avoided by the unfollow follow brigade.
As title parties go, it was one for all the family.
Not always the case for these types of occasions as I’d be first to testify.
My first season as a Clyde player coincided with a title success and blurred memories linger of a night out in Bathgate.
There was a Celtic connection on this evening of shame as in attendance was
Bully Wee top scorer for that particular campaign Frank McGarvey.
All players and staff joined club directors and a variety of dignitaries at the Rotunda restaurant in Glasgow for an eat- and- drink- al l -you- can evening, with the Second Division trophy taking pride of place next to the chairman.
Now, names and faces have been lost in the passage of time but there we r e w i tne s s e s to a de s e c r a t i o n o f t he silverware and a few of the lads were caught smoking under the cloth-lined table.
Frankly, the identity of the culprit will keep you guessing. Anyway, Rod Stewart appeared to have had one too many at the online Hoop- de- do as he sang and danced alongside a super car with his family in a pre-recorded message. Next up was a message of congratulation from the Holy Goalie himself, Artur Boruc. Line of Duty star Martin Compston said a few words before a few lockdown hairdos were sported by the likes of Leigh Griffiths, Ryan Christie, Christopher Jullien and James Forrest.
Action Man lookalike Scott Brown remains in danger of repetitive strain syndrome as he lifted the Premiership trophy, albeit remotely, once again.
‘Captain, leader, legend’, was the banner message when he appeared on the screen.
Then came the supporting cast from down the seasons.
Virgil van Dijk made an appearance, Paddy McCourt, Scott Sinclair and a bespectacled Moussa Dembele were also part of an absent hero section. All