Douglas: O’Neill’s Bhoys were the best since Lisbon Lions

Former Celtic keeper Rab Douglas believes he was part of the best team since the Lisbon Lions under Martin O’Neill.

The shot-stopper joined Celtic in 2000 when O’Neill took over as manager after an impressive three-year spell at Dundee.

He went on to win the domestic treble in his first season between the posts and made over 150 appearances for Celtic in five years – dislodging first-team keeper Jonathan Gould at the time.

Coming to terms with the end of his career at 43, he’s reflected back on life at Celtic as the best time in his career.

He kept over 80 clean sheets for the Hoops including an incredible 28 clean sheets in the 2001/02 season.

As quoted by the Daily Mail, the former Celtic ‘keeper said:

Looking back, it was perhaps the best team since the Lisbon Lions era.

Douglas did make errors during the time, the most notable against Rangers, but he had just as many vital saves in games Celtic could and probably should have lost if it wasn’t for him.

He also spoke about the Road to Seville and despite the heroics along the way from him and central defender Bobo Balde, the mistakes that night is all fans will remember.

I got stick, Bobo (Balde) got stick (for being sent off) – that’s the nature of football.

But on the night we weren’t quite good enough. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea but I feel I played my part in us getting there.

A sending off against Barcelona in 2004 paved the way for Douglas’ exit from Paradise, as youngster David Marshall stepped in and went on to have the performance of his life.