Paul Hartley recalls a night of nerves before Celtic last clinched a title at Tannadice.
But the former Parkhead star believes a differing set of circumstances will ease any unlikely feelings of stress on Ange Postecoglou’s team tomorrow on Tayside.
Celtic are just about home and dry. Barring a ridiculous mathematical turnaround in goal difference, Postecoglou’s team could lose against Dundee United and then again to Motherwell on Saturday and still get over the line.
However, they want to secure it in style at the home of the Tangerines and the comfortable position is a far cry from which Hartley and his team-mates were in 14 years ago.
Gordon Strachan’s men headed north for the final game of the campaign level on points with Rangers.
Although goal difference was also in their favour back then, Celtic knew failure to win could have disastrous consequences.
In the end, they streaked clear. The Ibrox team, who, like this term, were in a Europa League Final that season against Zenit St Petersburg, were defeated in Aberdeen.
And when Hartley delivered a pinpoint corner onto the head of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to bullet home a winner on the night for the Parkhead side with Walter Smith’s Light Blues already a goal behind in the Granite City, it was all over.
Hartley recalls the evening vividly. He remembers the sight of the helicopter flying over the stadium on its way to deliver the silverware.
He remembers the sheer outpouring of emotion which accompanied the celebrations as the players, staff and club dedicated their triumph to club legend Tommy Burns, who had sadly passed away in the days prior to the game.
Hartley also recalls the tension as he said: “It was a very nervy night. It was a Thursday and we went there knowing we had to win the game.
“Rangers were at Pittodrie and we went to Tannadice feeling we had to get a result.
“To be honest, the game matched the build-up because that was nervy as well. They had a couple of chances and we had a couple of chances.
“Obviously, we managed to get the breakthrough with Jan and it was an unbelievable night in the end and afterwards.
“I can remember in the closing stages of the game seeing the helicopter flying over Tannadice.
“At that point, it was not long after Jan had scored, you kind of knew it was going to go our way.
“Tommy had obviously passed away not long before and we had the t-shirts made up. It was a special evening for us all winning it for him and for his memory.
“It is hard to imagine it was 14 years ago. It was a game you always remember and won’t forget.
“I’d say it’ll be different for the Celtic players this time around before the game because of their points total and their goal difference.
“Back in 2008, it was neck and neck on points and it was the very last game of the season.
“But the venue and the reward is the same. Our team won it at Tannadice back then and now the current team can do it again.”
Celtic are just about across the line before they even board the bus for Dundee, but there will be no relenting from Postecoglou.
The Aussie wants his troops to power through the finishing line and a third-straight triumph at Tannadice this term will ensure they do just that.
Hartley, who has had his own success this year by winning the title and securing promotion to the Championship with Cove Rangers, is an admirer of the way the Parkhead boss goes about his business.
He said: “The manager is very impressive. It seems he never changes his way in respect to how he approaches the media and I like his style of play.
“It was not an easy start for him and I don’t think people gave him much of a chance when he walked in. People wanted a name and most hadn’t heard of him.
“But he has been so good and the way his team plays the game is superb, but it’s his manner which is so impressive when he speaks in public.
“It is top notch. I actually enjoy listening to him. His signings have been so good and he’s not really had any failures.
“A lot of people have taken to him and him winning the Manager of the Year says that about his team and his demeanour. It’s been a great season for him and Celtic considering the position from where he and they started.”
Mark Wilson is another Celtic star from 2008 who believes Postecoglou’s men will finish the job in style.
The ex-left-back, who replaced Lee Naylor just after Vennegoor of Hesselink scored, believes the way the Aussie’s side blew Hearts away last weekend offers notice of their intent.
He told Sky: “If you were a Celtic player after Saturday, you would like to have thought that was the job done.
“But it rolls onto Wednesday night at Tannadice. A ground that has been good for Celtic in the past.
“I was fortunate enough to win a league title there also and you cannot see them slipping up.
“When they play at that pace with that intensity and their top players turn up on the day, then they are a formidable force and Ange Postecoglou will demand exactly the same standards on Wednesday night.
“He is a manager who demands the highest standards, even sometimes in meaningless, games, and I think on Saturday, 60,000 Celtic fans went looking for a performance and to get over the line and the players did not disappoint.”
