(Photo credit: The Official Celtic Opus. Images above show the green leather cover of the book and the clamshell case it is housed in)
This giant volume (838 pages edged in silver leaf measuring 52cm x 52cm) tells the inside story of Celtic FC from its formation in 1888, via Jock Stein’s heroes of 1967, to the modern-day successes of Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan.
Weighing 35kg and presented in a hard bound leather cover with embroidered logo encased in a clamshell case, this publication is heavyweight in every sense of the word.
Consisting of over 200,000 words and 1,100-plus images, including many previously unpublished images and over 40 exclusive interviews and photo shoots (photographed on the rare Polaroid 20 x 24 camera), each individually varnished, it is easy to see why this magnificent publication was more than four years in the making.
The publication takes the reader on a journey way beyond the scope of previous books on the club. An array of brilliant writers, photographers, illustrators, and artists combine to highlight the key strands of the club’s DNA which make Celtic a unique football institution.
Included in this book are:
- Celtic hall of fame – an expert panel of Celtic observers choose 50 inductees for the Hall of Fame
- the history of the Celtic-Rangers rivalry, including contributions from Murdo Macleod, Rangers stalwart Sandy Jardine, writer Hugh MacDonald and the cartoons of the late Rod McLeod
- ‘Lions of Lisbon’ including interviews with Billy McNeill, the players wives, tributes to Jock Stein by Archie MacPherson and Sir Alex Ferguson, profile of Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone and an interview with his widow Agnes Johnstone
- the Full story of Celtic’s 9 consecutive league triumphs, 1966-74, including an in-depth profile of Kenny Dalglish
- Celtic in Europe – 10 of Celtic’s most thrilling European matches ever
- behind the scenes look at Celtic Park on Champions League night
- interviews with Charlie Nicholas and Frank McAvennie, Gordon Strachan, Shunsuke Nakamura, Artur Boruc, Aidan McGeady, Scott McDonald and John Reid.
- Age of Nine bosses 1987-2000: featuring interviews with Fergus McCann, Roy Aitken, the late Tommy Burns, Wim Jansen and John Barnes
- Martin O’Neill recalls five great years at the club while John Hartson, Paul Lambert, Henrik Larsson and Neil Lennon relive their contributions to the success
- a celebration of Celtic supporters including profiles of 14 fanatics from around the world
- comprehensive season-by season match statistics from 1888 to 2010, a summary of club honours and records
Limited to 500 individually-numbered copies, each copy is personally signed by all living members of the 1967 European cup-winning squad. A visual feast and a true collectors’ item, the Celtic Opus European Champions Edition demands to be seen and experienced by every Hoops fan.
Further details of Celtic Opus can be found on the main catalogue, available in ‘Catalogues’ on the Library’s website.