Boyd backs Celtic to narrowly win SPL title

May 11 2008 By Mark Guidi

Boyd Backs Old Bhoys

TOM BOYD'S proudest moment in football was captaining Celtic to a dramatic final-day title success in 1998 that was loaded with extra significance because it wrecked Rangers' assault on 10 in a row.

Now he's backing Stephen McManus to celebrate his first season as skipper by snatching glory in a nerve-shredding finale and reopening old wounds in Govan.

Walter Smith's Gers are closing in on a domestic treble - and historic quadruple - that has Celts fans in a panic similar to when their proud feat of nine straight titles was under serious threat of being eclipsed.

Boyd's Hoops had to beat St Johnstone to seal the championship and they delivered with a 2-0 win. The former Scotland full-back reckons this season's SPL race will also go to the wire and is confident McManus will sample the same feelings he had a decade ago.

Boyd said: "There's a mixture of excitement and tension just now and that is only going to increase.

"Rangers looked to have the title done and dusted a month ago but Celtic have clawed their way back and their determination to keep the trophy is clear.

"This season reminds me of 10 years ago. Rangers wanted to make history by winning 10 titles and we had to stop them.

"Now Rangers have a chance of the domestic treble and possibly a quadruple so Celtic will want to avoid them making a clean sweep.

"To do that they need to win the league and McManus will be driving his team-mates on.

"Stephen will not want to finish his first year as captain with no silverware.

"I know just how it feels to skipper Celtic to a title and it would be great for Stephen to sample that."

Gordon Strachan's menface Hibs today and Boyd knows only victory will do.

He said: "If Celtic win they are on target to reach 89 points for the season which may well be enough.

"There will be a full house at Parkhead and the atmosphere will be electric if also a little nervy.

"But there is experience in the Celtic team to handle this situation and they have to show it."

Darren Jackson was a team-mate of Boyd 10 years ago and reckons Celtic were successful because they had a nucleus of Scots. The Old Firm have plenty of homegrown stars in their current squads and Jackson insists that is why this campaign has been so passionate and fiercely contested.

He said: "Wim Jansen had Scottish lads like Jackie McNamara, Paul Lambert and Craig Burley.

We all knew what was needed.

"The current side has McManus, Paul Hartley, Barry Robson, Scott Brown, Aiden McGeady and Mark Wilson who know what it means to play for Celtic and what is expected.

"Rangers also have that with guys such as Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch and Kevin Thomson so there is lots of heart and commitment in both camps.

"There's huge excitement in the title race and players and managers will be unable to switch off.

"It takes over your life and is all about having the bottle to deliver."