• Celtic - The Early Years
• Celtic between the wars
• Becalmed before the storm
• The Glory Years
• The end of the Stein era
• A last flourish
• A club divided
• Return to glory
• Moving Forward to the next level

THE END OF THE STEIN ERA

Success and Celtic continued to be synonymous throughout the early 70s as Jock Stein brought in new faces to freshen up the Celtic Park side.

Kenny Dalglish, Lou Macari, David Hay and George Connelly came to the fore as Celtic continued their league-winning run until 1974, claiming the double in 1971, 1972, when Dixie Deans scored the first hat trick in a Cup final since 1904 as Celtic demolished Hibs 6-1, and 74. There was also a League Cup victory in 1970.

Their record-breaking dominance of the league title finally came to an end in 1975 when they only finished third and rivals Rangers clinched the championship, but even then the Celts managed to nab both Cups that season.

European competition remained a great attraction for the fans, with a visit to Budapest in 1972 dwelling in the memory. Celtic beat Ujpset Dozsa 2-1 in what Mr Stein described as the best European display by the club since Lisbon. Celebrating afterwards, fans at a hotel in the city were entertained by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton who threw a post-match champagne and caviar party.

But the period also saw growing dissatisfaction among some of the players over pay. Celtic had always paid modestly, though throughout the 60s and early 70s players could always count on win bonuses. But younger members of the side, aware of what international team mates were earning in England, began to seek new opportunities offering more lucrative rewards. Lou Macari moved on to Manchester United in January 1973, and David Hay left for Chelsea the following year. A lengthy spell out due to injury left him struggling financially without the win bonuses. Even Kenny Dalglish submitted a transfer request in 1975, though he was later persuaded to resign for another two years. These problems were exacerbated by the car crash which nearly killed Stein and kept him out of the game for a year.

His return to the club in 1976 - was marked by another double winning season, but it was to prove the last success of the Stein era. In the summer of 1977 Dalglish departed, heading south to Liverpool, while Pat Stanton was seriously injured on the opening day of the 1977-78 season. He never played again for Celtic. An ankle injury in the seventh match of the season deprived Celtic of Danny McGrain and a depleted squad could only finish fifth in the league. At the end of the season Stein stepped down as manager and a glorious era came to the end.