Celtic-Mad End Of Season Awards 2003/04

Last updated : 29 May 2004 By Kevin Smith
Thanks to all who voted in the Celtic-Mad Awards. We had loads of votes and it was rather interesting to see the difference in some people's opinions.

The winners are shown below, enjoy the memories as you read!


Player Of The Season

NEIL LENNON - 68%
The midfield star has been voted as Player of the Year by Celtic-Mad users. This follows his Player of the Year award, voted for by the fans last month. Lennon has been outstanding this season, getting stuck in at every opportunuity, never shying away from a challenge and not ashamed to let people know what he thinks of them. Added to this the sectarian abuse which he receives at every away ground in the country and you have an outstanding professional. His imaginary smoking of a cigar after beating Rangers 3-0 in January, as well as his love for the club and the fans, have made him a fan favourite. A certainty for Captain in the future.


Player Of The Season

STEPHEN PEARSON - 68%
After signing from Motherwell in early January, it was thought that Stephen Pearson would have a small part to play this year. But Martin O'Neill threw him in at the deep end, and he was soon performing admirably in the Nou Camp, Ibrox and Celtic Park, as he became a regular in the Celtic squad. He has been fantastic and will only get better. The only thing he currently lacks is experience - he will be a top class player in two or three years time.


Goal Of The Season

CHRIS SUTTON (v Rangers, 8/5/04) - 72%
The goal that secured the whitewash!On the final Old Firm game of the season, 90 minutes had been and gone, Rangers looked to be scraping their first point off of Celtic in 6 games, and it was going to take something special to secure a victory over our greatest rivals. It came in the form of Chris Sutton's sublime chip over Stefan Klos in injury time. Sutton was involved early in the move and when the ball was returned to him by Henrik Larsson, he spotted Klos off his line, and sweetly chipped the ball into the corner of the net. Cue Rangers fans heading for the exits with vommit splattered over their shirts, and bedlam in the Celtic end!


Game Of The Season (Celtic Park)

2-0 v LYON (30/9/03) - 50%
Celtic's first home Champions League match of the season was arguably the best performance we have seen from The Bhoys all season. After a shakey start to the game, Celtic started to get into it, and the introduction of Liam Miller was our secret weapon. Chris Sutton and Liam Miller scored the goals, on a night which ensured we will fear no one at Parkhead.


Game Of The Season (Away)

0-0 v BARCELONA (11/3/04) - 76%
With an Alan Thompson goal the only difference between the two sides in the first leg at Celtic Park, it was always going to be tough travelling to the Nou Camp. Celtic played their hearts out, each player was a hero. Young goalkeeper David Marshall made a series of outstanding saves to keep us in the game, and when the final whistle went, the thousands of Celtic supporters in the ground could not believe it. My personal favourite single memory of the whole season.


Low Point Of The Season

0-2 v VILLARREAL (14/4/04) - 60%
After the heroics that were Barcelona, our next away UEFA Cup game was to prove a massive comedown. We could only manage a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at home in the first leg, and with Alan Thompson suspended and Chris Sutton injured for the return leg, it was an uphill struggle even before the teams entered the park. An early goal from the Spaniards was probably enough to finish the tie, but after some woeful Celtic defending, they managed to grab another. It was never going to be our night. Villarreal were knocked out at the next round by the eventual tournament winners, Valencia.


Song Of The Season

"ONE'S CALLED RONALD..." - 52%
In mid-February, it seemed Rangers' only hope of a trophy was to be the CIS Insurance Cup. With the Celtic Reserves already knocked out, a determined Hibs side took Rangers to penalties. We saw misses from several Rangers players, including Mikel Arteta and 'Showtime' Arveladze but the final nail in the coffin was the miss by 'superstar' Franck De Boer. De Boer had been recently signed by David Murray in a deal which would see the Dutchman gain match fitness prior to Euro 2004. After a heroes' welcome, he was soon to be laughed at after missing the penalty, ensuring there will be no Mr Sheen in the Blueroom this summer!


Biggest Celtic Laugh Of The Season

BEACHBALL SUNDAY II (28/3/04) - 72%
On our return from Barcelona, we were scheduled for a trip to Ibrox. Already the Champions-elect, it was always going to be a party. To celebrate the fact we were "all off to Sunny Spain" once again, the beachballs, sombreros, lilos, sunglasses, flip flops and suitcases from last season all made a guest appearance at the match. With around 1,000 beachball lying on the Ibrox playing surface, the kick-off was held up by five miutes as we watched with glee the pathetic attempts by the Rangers stewards to burst the inflatable invasion.


Biggest Hun Laugh Of The Season

"WE WELCOME THE CHASE" BANNER - 44%
At the time, it must have seemed a good idea. A whopping three points ahead of Celtic after seven games played, and top of two leagues, due to a lucky 2-1 win over Stuttgart in the Champions League. Some smart-arse decides to make a banner before the first Old Firm game of the season quoting "We Welcome The Chase." Big Bad John Hartson stuck the ball in the pokey, Celtic were top of the league, and the chase was on! Rangers finished a miserable 17 points behind Celtic, and bottom of their Champions League group. Funnily enough, that banner is nowhere to be seen now!


Best Opposing Player Of The Season

RONALDINHO (Barcelona) - 76%
There was much hype surrounding the Brazillian playmaker Ronaldinho, before he played at Celtic Park. He did not fail to impress. Almost setting up two goals, and one for himself, he was arguably the Man of the Match on the night. He also done this trick which cannot even be described. Ask Aiden McGeady, he can do it.


Best Opposing Team Of The Season

FC BARCELONA - 60%
It was a dream draw for Celtic, with the opportunity to see Barcelona, one of the world's greatest clubs, in action at Celtic Park. Their passing and movement on and off the ball was something special, even on the dingy Celtic Park turf. Their defence kept Henrik Larsson at bay for two games, and only David Marshall knows the answer as to how we beat them.


Worst Opposing Player Of The Season

NUNO CAPUCHO (Rangers) - 84%
Bought firmly on the basis that he played in Porto's UEFA Cup winning side from last year, he has been a total disaster ever since he signed for Rangers. Along with his buddies Emerson and Ostenstad, he has made Rangers the lasughing stock of the country. Wearing his socks at his ankles for a reason no one knows, he did not put in one decent shift all season. He had the Celtic fans calling out for his introduction at Celtic Park in January, and when he arrvied, he got the biggest cheer I have heard all season! Thanks for the memories, Nuno!


Worst Opposing Team Of The Season

RANGERS - 88%
We were told to expect big things from the phoney Treble winners from last year. We expected nothing and we got nothing. The worst team we have faced all season by a mile. We completed a whitewashing over them, knocked them out of two competitions and scored eight goals against them, only conceding one. Roll on next year, We Welcome The Chase!


Best Atmosphere Of The Season (Celtic Park)

BARCELONA (11/3/04) - 80%
On the day Al Qaeda bombed Madrid, there was a showing of friendship before the game, for our Spanish friends. The version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" was the best ever, and the singing throughout the game was fantastic. Though, if you cannot create an atmosphere when beating Barcelona, when can you?


Best Atmosphere Of The Season (Away)

RANGERS (28/3/03) - 56%
It's Beachball Sunday II again! From the moment I left the house that morning, I knew there was going to be a party. On the back of a victory over Barcelona, it did not matter if Rangers beat us. There was never any doubt they would not, and that's what made the day even sweeter. Ninety minutes of singing and dancing in the Celtic end, as we let them know we were Scotland's top force.


Arse Of The Year

FERNANDO RICKSEN - 52%
It just had to be. The icing on the cake in these awards, Fernando "Commando" Ricksen scoops the award for Arse Of The Year! Involved in video trials for flying elbows, chapping Celtic players' letterboxes at 3am, getting slapped in the face off Alan Thompson and crying to the media about it the next day. What else can you ask for in an Arse? And it makes rather bad reading if you scoop this award ahead of Gerry McNee and Stuart Cosgrove! Please stay Fernando, please please please! All together now, "There was something in the air tonight..."