Twenty eight years ago today saw Celtic take on Aberdeen in a televised Monday night league clash.
Tommy Burns entertaining side had a new player in the ranks and the supporters flocked to Paradise in anticipation of seeing him after such a controversial wait.
Bigotry runs deep
That player of course was none other than Jorge Cadete. His career as a Celtic player had stalled as the jumped up bitter little Scottish FA general Jim Farry unfairly and illegally held up his registration papers to deny our title chances and our supporters the chance to see such a talented player in the flesh. Bigotry runs deep at the Scottish FA.
Jorge had to make do with a place on the bench on that cold wet night, but the place was rocking as a Tosh Mckinlay inspired Celtic swept aside a sorry Dons side.
The on-fire Tosh McKinlay
A brace apiece from Simon Donnelly and Pierre Van Hoojidonk, all assisted by the on-fire Tosh McKinlay had established us a well deserved four-goal lead.
Although the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Jorge Cadete as the Portuguese man entered the field to make his long awaited debut with just under twenty minutes remaining.
It was a resounding reception, but that was nothing compared to the din that rocked Celtic park when he scored just two minutes later.
Cadete’s first Celtic goal
Jorge showed us what we would enjoy on a regular basis the next year or so when he deftly finished a lovely pass from Peter Grant to score his first Celtic goal and make it five-nil on the night.
The roar that greeted that finish was unbelievable, I can still remember it today. It was that loud that it famously knocked radio five live off air for a few seconds!
A wonderful footballing performance, and a great debut goal for an iconic player in Jorge Cadete. It’s one of those games that always sticks in the mind.
1st April 1996, Celtic 5:0 Aberdeen.
Donnelly(2), Pierre(2) and Cadete. @SimonDonnelly13 @pierrevh17 @JorgeCadete11
Cadete scores on his debut, Tosh on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xxXbQUnQTd
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) March 31, 2024
Just an Ordinary Bhoy