In 1988 Celtic carried off a historic League and Scottish Cup double in their centenary season and, Bhoy, did they players enjoy the party. 20 years on, Celtic travel to Kilmarnock tomorrow in the next round of their Cup defence... but here we take some time to catch up the fates and fortunes of the men of who were the Class of '88
Back row, from left to right
Mick McCarthy
The Republic of Ireland internationalist left Celtic after just two years at Parkhead in 1989 and joined Lyon in France. Returned to England the following year and signed for Millwall. Moved into management at the London club after hanging up his boots in 1992 and, after turbulent spells in charge with both Ireland and Sunderland, is now in the dug-out at Coca Cola Championship club Wolves.
Anton Rogan
The Belfast-born full-back fulfiled his boyhood ambition when he joined Celtic in 1987. After helping the Hoops win the double in their centenary year he played on for another three seasons. Joined Sunderland in 1991 and went on to play for Oxford United, Millwall and then Blackpool. Last heard of running his own asbestos disposal business in Oxfordshire.
Andy Walker
The striker banged in no fewer than 32 goals in his first season at Parkhead in 1987/88. Started the final ahead of Mark McGhee. Replaced with 20 minutes remaining. Struggled to reproduce his early goalscoring form and joined Bolton in 1992. After two seasons there he returned to Parkhead in a surprise move in 1994. Helped the Hoops win the Scottish Cup in 1995. Wound down his career with Sheffield United, Hibs, Raith Rovers, Ayr United, Carlisle United, Partick Thistle and Alloa. The former Scotland hit man is now a respected media pundit with Scotsport and Radio Clyde and a newspaper columnist.
Chris Morris
The full-back was the only Celtic player to take part in every competitive match in their centenary season. He turned out in all 55 games.
The Republic of Ireland internationalist left Parkhead after five years in 1992 and joined Middlesbrough. He retired due to injury in 1997. Now the managing director at his family Cornish Pasty firm in his native Newquay in Cornwall.
Pat Bonner
The legendary Celtic and Republic of Ireland keeper missed the final due to a back injury. Bowed out after no fewer than 17 years at Parkhead with a Scottish Cup final win in 1995. Spent a spell as No.2 to former team mate Tommy Burns at Reading. Also worked as goalkeeping coach for his country alongside his former Hoops team-mate, Mick McCarthy. Currently technical director with the Football Association of Ireland and an occasional pundit for TV3 in his homeland.
Allen McKnight
Celtic manager Billy McNeill only told the Northern Irishman he was playing in goals on the day of the final. His poor clearance allowed Kevin Gallacher to score Dundee United's goal. Moved to West Ham in a £250,000 transfer that summer. Was cruelly dubbed McKnightmare in his spell at Upton Park. Returned to Scotland to play for Falkirk and later turned out for Airdrie, Stockport, Rotherham, Walsall, South China and Exeter. A knee injury ended his nomadic playing career in 1997. Now working for his family timber firm in the London area.
Lex Baillie
An unused sub for the final, Lex was never able to hold down a regular first team place during his time with Celtic. Still, he played in 13 games in season 1987/88 as the Parkhead club won the league and cup double in their centenary year. Moved on to St Mirren in 1991 and later played for Dunfermline. Hung up his boots aged 28 and joined the police. Has been known to keep the peace at the occasional Old Firm match. Now a desk sergeant in Coatbridge.
Front row, from left to right
Billy Stark
Took over from Derek Whyte with the scoreline at 1-0 in United's favour. Left Celtic and followed Tommy Burns to Kilmarnock in 1990. After a brief stint at Hamilton, he returned to Parkhead in 1994 as assistant manager to Burns and spent three rollercoaster seasons there. Has since spent spells as a manager in his own right at Morton, St. Johnstone and Queen's Park. After an extremely successful stint with the Spiders at Hampden, he was recently appointed by the SFA as their full-time youth football supremo and under-21 manager.
Paul McStay
An all-time Celtic great, McStay spent his entire career at Parkhead. An knee injury brought a premature end to his playing days and he hung up his boots aged just 32 in 1997. A devoted family man, Paul now shuns the limelight. Still coaches shooolkids in the west of Scotland along with several other former Old Firm players through his own company. Has various business interests.
Roy Aitken
Joined Aberdeen as a player/coach and eventually succeeded Willie Miller as manager. After keeping the relegation-threatened Dons in the top flight and leading them to League Cup glory, things went awry and he was sacked in 1997. Spent spells as assistant to David O'Leary at Leeds United and Aston Villa.
The 58-times capped player returned to the Scotland set-up as a coach last year when new boss Alex McLeish was appointed manager. Followed to Birmingham City when the Premier League club lured the Scotland manager south.
Mark McGhee
Moved on from Celtic in 1989 and joined Newcastle United. Later played for Brage in Sweden for a short spell. Came back to Britain in 1991 and joined Reading where he eventually became player/manager.
Went on to enjoy varying degrees of success at Leicester City, Wolves, Brighton and Millwall. Currently working wonders at Motherwell, his first managerial appointment in Scotland. The Fir Park club are pushing for third place in the league. Was interviewed for, and just missed out on, the Scotland manager's job in recent weeks.
Joe Miller
Wee Joe helped Celtic retain the Scottish Cup in 1989 with the only goal of the final against Rangers. Moved on to Aberdeen in 1993 and spent five years at Pittodrie. Spells followed at Dundee United, Raith Rovers, Clydebank and Sydney. Returned to Scotland in 2006 to become player/manager at Clyde with friend Graham Roberts. After a famous Scottish Cup victory over the Hoops, fell out with Roberts and parted company with the Broadwood club. Now working as a occasional pundit on Radio Clyde.
Derek Whyte
Enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career with Celtic, Middlesbrough, Aberdeen and Scotland. Finished off his playing days at Partick Thistle and moved into management at Firhill in tandem with team mate Gerry Britton when Gerry Collins was sacked. Was helpless to prevent the Jags from being relegated from the SPL in 2004. Was sacked the following season with the Maryhill club floundering in the First Division. Dabbled in work as a football agent after that. Now based in Dubai and involved in property management.
Frank McAvennie
Striker Frank McAvennie came off the bench in the final and scored twice to secure a 2-1 victory. Returned to West Ham the following year in a £1.3 million move. Went on to play for Cliftonville, Aston Villa and South China in Hong Kong, Celtic again briefly, Falkirk and St Mirren and then hung up his boots. Avoided going to jail on a drugs charge in 2000. After many years of gallivanting, has now settled down and is living in the north of England.
Seated, left to right
Peter Grant
Peter the Pointer just missed out on the Scottish Cup final with a broken foot he picked up in the last three weeks of the season. The popular midfielder moved on from Parkhead in 1998 after 14 years in the first team. Joined Norwich. Later played for his old Hoops team-mate Tommy Burns at Reading. Moved into coaching and after spells as assistant at Bournemouth and West Ham became a manager in his own right at Norwich. Sacked after less than half a season. Now working as an football pundit. Linked with the Hearts manager's job.
Tommy Burns
A Celtic legend, Tommy left Parkhead in 1990 after 15 years in the first team. Joined Kilmarnock as a player and soon became manager. Helped the Rugby Park club back into the Premier League. Returned to the Hoops as manager in 1994 and ensured they ended a six year trophy drought with a Scottish Cup win in 1995. Sacked two years later after failing to break Rangers' stranglehold on the Scottish title. Had an unsuccessful stint as boss of Reading. Brought back to Celtic by caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish in 2000. Served as a coach in the Scotland set-up under Berti Vogts and Walter Smith. Currently a Celtic coach.
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