“I’d previously worked with Gordon at Coventry City, and he played a major role in me actually coming to Celtic. He told me to come to Celtic when there were other clubs that wanted to sign me that year.

“I have to say that Gordon was excellent with me at Coventry and also at Celtic, so it was nice to do that for Gordon, who had always backed me. And it was nice to do so on my birthday.

“I have to say, though, that the team was excellent and there’s no way I would have got half my goals if it hadn’t been for my team-mates.

“If you look at Henrik, with 242 goals for Celtic, he would be the first one, very humbly, to thank his team-mates for laying on the chances for him. I’m the same. I wouldn’t have got the goals without the service.

“That league win in 2006 was special, and scoring on my birthday was great. I didn’t know at the time that it was going to be my last year at Celtic, but it was a good time.”

Hartson also spoke about how much he appreciates the great relationship he continues to have with the Celtic fans, no matter where he bumps into them.

“I can always go back to the stadium and I get a great welcome,” he said, “and it means a lot to me, because I’ve played for big clubs. I played for Arsenal, and I played for 10 years in London before I arrived at Celtic at the age of 26, but there’s nothing which can prepare you for what kind of club Celtic is – the fanbase and the numbers around the world.

“And I always say it, that I can’t go anywhere now, whether it’s a family holiday to the States or Bermuda, or a caravan park in South Wales without bumping into a Celtic fan… they’re everywhere!

“It’s a great feeling. It’s a very special club and they welcome back their former players. And I was very fortunate to play in a magnificent group with a brilliant manager, and it was a really great time for the club.

“I remember Jackie McNamara, my old room-mate who’s just been through his own health issues, and I’m glad to hear Jackie’s fighting his way back to full health, telling me I was very fortunate to be at Celtic at such a great time for the club, with a brilliant manager, a fantastic support and a group of incredible players.

“I spent five-and-a-half seasons at Celtic, which was a very successful period that I was lucky enough to play in.”

Listen to the full Celtic View podcast with John Hartson.

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