2008–09 Celtic F.C. season

Overview

Celtic went into the 2008–09 season defending their Scottish Premier League title, which they won for the third consecutive time in 2007–08.

They also entered the UEFA Champions League directly at the group stage, as well as taking part in the two domestic cup competitions, the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

To prepare for the Season, Celtic took part in two Pre-Season Tournaments; the Algarve Challenge Cup in Faro, Portugal, where they finished bottom, having faced Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, and the Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament in Rotterdam, where they finished second, having faced Tottenham Hotspur and host club Feyenoord.

The campaign

League campaign

The Championship flag was unfurled before Celtic's first League game, against St Mirren at Celtic Park on 10 August by Rosemary Burns, the widow of former Celtic player Tommy Burns, who had died of skin cancer at the end of season 2007–08. Celtic won the game 1–0, through a Barry Robson penalty, getting their campaign off to a winning start.

Celtic finished second in the SPL table at the end of the season, eventually finishing four points behind champions Rangers. This was despite at one point having built up a seven-point lead over Rangers. This lead was squandered though, Celtic dropping points to Dundee United, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Motherwell, Rangers themselves, and on two occasions to both Hibernian and Hearts.

One day after the final league game of the season, a 0–0 draw with Hearts at Celtic Park, it was announced that Gordon Strachan would leave as manager of Celtic with immediate effect. This brought to an end Strachan's four-year spell as manager, during which he guided the club to three SPL titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups. He also guided the club twice into the last 16 of the Champions League, losing out to AC Milan and Barcelona respectively.

European campaign

Celtic, as Scottish champions, qualified directly for the UEFA Champions League, where they were the sole Scottish side as Rangers were knocked out in the second qualifying round by FBK Kaunas, meaning Celtic received all the TV money allocated to Scotland.

Celtic were in Pot 3 for the group stage draw, which took place in Monaco on 28 August. They were drawn with Manchester United, Villarreal and Aalborg. The first game, a home tie against Aalborg, finished in a goalless draw. The next game, away to Villarreal, ended in a 1–0 defeat, which was followed by a 3–0 defeat away to Manchester United. Next up, at home, Celtic drew 1–1 with Manchester United, with Scott McDonald putting Celtic in the lead in the 13th minute, only for Ryan Giggs to equalise for Manchester United in the 84th minute. A disappointing 2–1 defeat to Aalborg in Denmark saw Celtic's European aspirations end, despite having taken the lead through Barry Robson. Nonetheless, Celtic rallied to end their campaign on a high with a 2–0 victory over Villarreal at Celtic Park.

Domestic cups

Celtic entered the Scottish League Cup at the third round proper (the last 16 stage) and the Scottish Cup at the fourth round proper (the Round of 32). The club beat Livingston 4–0 in the third round of the League Cup on 23 September, and travelled to Kilmarnock on 28 October, beating them 3–1 and qualifying for the semi-finals, where they faced Dundee United at Hampden Park on 28 January. After a 0–0 draw in extra time, Celtic won a penalty shoot-out 11–10 to set up a final against Rangers on 15 March. The team won the 2009 Scottish League Cup Final 2–0 after extra time at Hampden, with Darren O'Dea and Aiden McGeady getting the goals.

The fourth round of the Scottish Cup took place on 10 January, with Celtic beating Dundee at Celtic Park. In the fifth round, Celtic hosted Queen's Park on 7 February, beating them 2–1. In the quarter-finals, Celtic lost 1–0 at St Mirren on 7 March.

Competitions

Scottish Premier League

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish Premier League

Samaras Nakamura Miller Mendes Clarkson Samaras McDonald Samaras McDonald Samaras McDonald McGeady Loovens Sheridan Loovens Brown Fletcher Caldwell McDonald Nakamura Hartley Nakamura Sheridan Nish Mizuno McDonald Feeney Duff Diamond McDonald McManus Crosas Brown Potter Naylor McGeady Vennegoor of Hesselink Vennegoor of Hesselink McGeady O'Dea McDonald McDonald Samaras

Scottish League Cup

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish League Cup

Samaras Brown Nakamura McGeady McGeady

Scottish Cup

Main article: 2008–09 Scottish Cup

McGeady McDonald

UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Main article: 2008–09 UEFA Champions League

Rooney Caldwell McGeady

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition |}

Top scorers

Team statistics

League table

Champions league table

Technical staff

Transfers

In

Out

References

References

1. (19 June 2008). "McCourt seals transfer to Celtic". BBC Sport.
2. (15 July 2008). "Samaras completes Celtic switch". BBC Sport.
3. (15 July 2008). "Celtic recruit Rochdale teenager". BBC Sport.
4. (10 August 2008). "Barça's Crosas wends his way to Celtic". UEFA.
5. (16 August 2008). "Celtic new boy, Marc Crosas - Barca no more". Johnston Publishing.
6. (16 August 2008). "Celtic sign Loovens from Cardiff". BBC Sport.
7. (22 August 2008). "Shaun Maloney returns to Paradise". Celtic FC.
8. (16 December 2008). "McGinn seals transfer to Celtic". BBC Sport.
9. (23 December 2008). "Misun completes Celtic transfer". BBC Sport.
10. (30 January 2009). "Celtic complete signing of Flood". BBC Sport.
11. (3 February 2009). "Transfers registered with the Scottish Football Association over the past three days". Scotsman Sport.
12. (17 June 2008). "Dundee United make double swoop". BBC Sport.
13. (30 June 2008). "Brighton re-sign defender Virgo". BBC Sport.
14. (1 July 2008). "Morecambe snap up Celtic striker". BBC Sport.
15. (27 July 2008). "Norwich win loan race for Kennedy". BBC Sport.
16. (7 August 2008). "Livingston announce new signing". Livingston FC.
17. (18 August 2008). "Celtic part company with Thomas Gravesen". Celtic FC.
18. (21 August 2008). "Ajax sign Evander Sno". Ajax AFC.
19. (1 September 2008). "Pressley moves to Danish outfit". BBC Sport.
20. (1 September 2008). "Riordan opts for Hibernian return". BBC Sport.
21. (7 January 2009). "Accies sign Old Firm pair on loan". BBC Sport.
22. (31 January 2009). "Norwich secure Killen loan deal". BBC Sport.
23. (2 February 2009). "Hamilton complete Quinn signing". BBC Sport.
24. (2 February 2009). "Motherwell take Sheridan on loan". BBC Sport.