Celtic fans were surprised and pleased to see Fergus McCann at Celtic Park this afternoon for Flag Day.
McCann is one of the most important figures in Celtic’s history. He came to the club in 1994 when Celtic was in serious trouble, both on and off the pitch. The Canadian businessman stepped in and took control at a time when the club’s future was in real danger. Without his action, Celtic might not have survived.
One of his first big moves was to rebuild Celtic Park. He turned the old ground into the large, all-seater stadium we know today. McCann also made sure the club was run properly, bringing in a plan to keep it safe from the kind of money problems that nearly destroyed it.
On the pitch, McCann’s time as owner saw some big moments. The biggest came in 1998 when Celtic stopped Rangers from winning ten league titles in a row.
Wim Jansen’s team won the league that year, a moment many supporters will never forget. While McCann did face criticism during his time in charge, over the years more and more people have come to see him as the man who saved Celtic.
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Having him back at Celtic Park on such a big day added something special to the occasion. Flag Day is about celebrating the team’s latest success, but McCann’s presence was a reminder that these successes were made possible by the work he did all those years ago.
For those inside the stadium, seeing McCann again linked the Celtic of today with the club he rebuilt in the 1990s. It was a moment of respect for a man whose actions made sure Celtic could keep winning trophies and celebrating days like this.
