WHEN second-half substitute Harald Brattbakk scored at Paradise on May 9, 1998, Celtic fans far and wide breathed a collective sigh of relief. With just over 15 minutes of normal time remaining, the Hoops were 2-0 up against St Johnstone, and gunning towards their first league championship in a decade.

Not only that, winning the title would end their city rivals’ domestic dominance in that time, and would mark the start of a new era for the would-be Scottish champions. At quarter to five in Glasgow’s East End, Wim Jansen’s men had Stopped the 10, and Mr Brattbakk had written himself into the club’s folklore.

“I wish I could play that game every day for the rest of my life because that day was so special,” Brattbakk told the official Celtic View podcast. “Especially when you think you what happened afterwards. Before the game and during the game, you were never sure what was going to happen. When I scored, we were pretty sure we were going to win it, because there was only 15 minutes to go.”

Despite the ex-striker’s retrospective confidence, Celtic fans may remember that final quarter-hour differently, given what was at stake. A measure of that game’s stature, in fact, is how much it’s still discussed today, over two decades on.

“It’s crazy,” added Brattbakk. “I remember being back for the 10-year anniversary party in 2008, and it felt like a really long time had passed between then and that point. Now, it’s 22 years and time has passed so quickly.

“Still, the memories are so clear and so good. The run up to the end of the season that year was amazing, and I’ve been able to look at some of the clips, and my mother has kept all the newspaper articles that were written around the time as well.

“It’s fun to look back at once in a while. I still can’t understand how big the league title was that year and also how important the run-in was. Everyone I talk to now, they’re still talking about it! I’m really fortunate to be able to be part of that story.”

LISTEN TO HARALD BRATTBAKK ON THE CELTIC VIEW PODCAST, sponsored by Eden Mill
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Harald: I wish I could play that game every day for rest of my life