13 hours ago
Tommy Burns laid the Celtic foundations for success as former star insists class of '95 kickstarted Parkhead dominance
Hoops hero Tosh McKinlay played a major part in ending the club's trophy drought 30 years ago and it's been non stop silver since
Celtic fans have got so used to securing silverware that even a Double can come with a tinge of disappointment.
But there was a time when picking up a single trophy was something to really celebrate.
And there's one in particular from 30 years ago that will always have a special place in the Hoops' history.
It was Tosh McKinlay's trusty left peg that whipped in a pinpoint cross for Pierre van Hooijdonk to head the winner against Airdrie to claim the Scottish Cup in 1995 – and spark an outpouring of emotion.
There were tears on the pitch with long-suffering heroes such as Paul McStay, Peter Grant and Packie Bonner savouring the return of success.
The goal didn't just end six years of trophy agony for Celts though. McKinlay reckons the victory for Tommy Burns' side kick-started the revolution that led to the club's 21st century dominance.
The former full-back is convinced his old gaffer laid the foundations for future success – and the late great would be beaming with pride at watching the current side at Parkhead.
The loss of Burns in 2008 was devastating to family, friends and fans alike, but his legacy lives on, from the Hampden triumph to the coming within a whisker of winning the league with one of the most swashbuckling sides since the Lisbon Lions.
McKinlay – who was presenting a £7,000 cheque to the annual Troon Taxi Outing on behalf of Celtic's Foundation – said: 'Tommy would be delighted. I've said many times we were unfortunate we didn't win the league.
'We were one game from being invincible, but we didn't win it. I think that team deserved to win the league.
'But Tommy would be delighted with how it's going for Celtic now. I think he laid the foundations for what you're seeing now for a very successful Celtic football club.
'It was six years without a trophy back then, but I think now there's about 40 odd trophies under Celtic's belt since.
'I remember when it was the Lions' 50th anniversary and I said they'd won a quarter of the trophies Celtic had won in their history.
'This team, all the managers, have now won 40 trophies in the last 15, 20 years. It's incredible and long may that continue.'
McKinlay was part of a Celtic dressing room that was packed full of players who were steeping in the club.
And he's thrilled it's a tradition that's been maintained during these glory days, with Kieran Tierney's return adding to the homegrown hardcore in the group.
He said: 'In my time I was fortunate – Paul McStay, Tom Boyd, John Collins, Peter Grant, Packie Bonner and, latterly, Charlie Nicholas was still there.
'So there was a core of real Celtic men in that dressing room. It was easy to fit in.
'Then you sprinkle them with the Three Amigos – van Hooijdonk, Paulo di Canio and Jorge Cadete – plus Andy Thom, Lubomir Moravcik and Mark Viduka.
'I was very fortunate to play with a lot of these guys. But the core of the Celtic dressing room is very important and Kieran will add to that being back.
'Callum McGregor's already there, people like that, Anthony Ralston, James Forrest too. So, it's very important.
'Jamesy's obviously smashed the record with trophies won, another absolute legend at the club, which was held by the fantastic Bobby Lennox.
'Jamesy's another very important figure in the dressing room.'
McKinlay was renowned for having a left foot that could open a tin of beans and he'd regularly fire over cross balls for the Amigos to lap up.
He reckons it will be a similar story for the current side with Tierney back in town.
The Scotland star earned his blockbuster £25million move to Arsenal on the back of his rampaging runs that helped the likes of Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths score a barrel load of goals.
KT is looking to pick up where he left off and strikers such as Adam Idah will be licking their lips at the prospect of his precision supply line.
McKinlay said: 'Again, I was very fortunate, van Hooijdonk was 6ft 12, so I couldn't really fail!
'And Jorge wasn't too bad in the air either. So I was fortunate.
'Obviously, the goal in the Cup Final, everybody talks about. But there were plenty of other assists for van Hooijdonk and Cadete as well.
'I think Kieran will be looking forward - on that side where the Green Brigade are – to be marauding up and down that line. I'm really looking forward to seeing him getting the Hoops back on. I have to give special mention to Greg Taylor too.
'Obviously, it's still to be decided what he's going to be doing, but he got plenty of deliveries in for strikers also. One goal I can remember at Fir Park, a fantastic delivery for Idah.
'But I'm sure Adam will be looking forward to Kieran coming back.'
McKinlay was thrilled to hand over the huge donation to the famous Troon Taxi Outing, where Glasgow's black cab drivers help give kids with support needs a memorable day out.
He said: 'Time just flies, but it's another year I'm going to be doing the Taxi day for Celtic.
'It's a fantastic day in the calendar for me to come and lend a hand to setting the kids off for a brilliant day out.'
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