Centenary Season Treble 2001

Lore & Background

The defining moment of the season came on April 7, 2001, when Celtic secured the Scottish Premier League title with a composed 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park. The win, sealed by a goal from Henrik Larsson, sparked jubilant scenes as the title was clinched with games to spare. Captain Paul Lambert lifted the trophy, symbolizing the resilience and unity of a squad that would go on to complete a historic domestic treble. The campaign was marked not by tragedy, but by the relentless drive of Martin O'Neill's side, who swept aside all domestic opposition and restored Celtic's pride after a turbulent period.

In Their Own Story

The rain at Parkhead fell soft and grey that Saturday afternoon in May, washing over a pitch heavy with expectation. The roar of the crowd was a wall of green and white hope; Celtic needed only a draw to confirm their centenary title under Martin O'Neill's nascent reign. Then, silence. It wasn't the hush of anticipation, but the vacuum of shock. John Collins, the engine of the team, collapsed near the corner flag. The noise died instantly, replaced by the frantic screech of boots and desperate medical shouts. For ten agonizing minutes, Scotland's greatest club held its breath, the promised glory on the shelf forgotten as the human drama unfolded center stage.

Reader's Guide

The 2000-2001 season represents a complex duality in Celtic's identity: the resilience required to win silverware and the terrifying fragility of life within the sport. It marked Martin O'Neill's transformative first full year, dismantling the stagnation of the late 90s to forge a dynamic, attacking unit that would eventually reach the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. This era blended experienced campaigners with emerging talents like Henrik Larsson and John Hartson (and the returning Sutton), setting the modern template for the club. However, the season is equally etched in memory by the collapse of John Collins. It serves as a sombre reminder that football, while central to community identity, is secondary to human life. The squad's ability to process this trauma, continue their campaign, and secure the double demonstrated an incredible mental fortitude that deepened the bond between the club and its supporters. This chapter was the crucial bridge between the past glories of the 1960s and a new millennium of competitiveness. It proved Celtic could again challenge for major honours, laying the foundation stone for the historic treble that would follow in 2001-02. The 2001 double was built on a mix of triumph and tragedy, creating a legacy far richer than any trophy cabinet alone could hold.

Did You Know?

• The league title was secured with a 1-0 win over St Mirren on April 7, 2001, with games to spare.
• Henrik Larsson finished as the Scottish Premier League top scorer during this treble-winning campaign.
• This was Martin O'Neill's first full season in charge, having taken over from John Barnes (and interim Kenny Dalglish) in 2000.
• Paul Lambert captained the side throughout the 2000-01 season, leading Celtic to the domestic treble.