Celtic – A to Z – C is for Gary Caldwell
Gary Caldwell had an interesting career during his four years at Celtic. He helped the club win two league titles, and was part of some big Celtic victories, but he left Glasgow in midseason after the Bhoys failed to secure a third title in a row.
Caldwell was signed by manager Gordon Strachan from Hibernian on a pre-contract agreement in 2006. In his time at Easter Road Caldwell had become a first-team regular at Easter Road, and the same thing happened in his time at Celtic Park, where he usually partnered in defence with Stephen McManus.
McManus and Caldwell’s partnership for the Hoops took time to gel, but the duo performed well for for the Bhoys, and Caldwell won a league and Scottish Cup double in his first season with the Hoops.
2006 also saw what is the most famous moment in Caldwell’s career, as he was the unlikely goal scorer in Scotland’s epic 1-0 victory over France at Hampden Park.
YouTube: Gary Caldwell Goal | Scotland 1-0 France | 7 October 2006
Caldwell’s next season with the Bhoys featured arguably the greatest moment of his Celtic Park career, and it is one that might have been forgotten about by some Hoops fans.
With Celtic needing three points against Rangers to keep the team’s hopes of winning the title alive, Caldwell’s cross was met by Scott McDonald, and his header was turned home by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to secure a vital 2-1 win for the Bhoys.
YouTube: Nakamura Scores Old Firm Screamer! Celtic 2-1 Rangers (16/04/2008) | SPFL Classics
Celtic probably wouldn’t have won the league if it hadn’t been for that goal, so credit has to be given to Caldwell for the vision he showed in picking out McDonald.
Caldwell’s next season at Celtic was probably his best performance wise for the Hoops, as he was named as the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
Sadly, the Bhoys didn’t win a fourth title in a row, but Caldwell did manage to pick up a League Cup winners’ medal, meaning he had now won every domestic honour with the club.
Caldwell was a player in demand after picking up the football writers’ award, and he and Celtic’s contract talks in season 2009/10 didn’t go well.
Hoops boss Tony Mowbray spoke out about the situation after contract talks with Peter Lawwell broke down. It seemed inevitable that the player would leave, and he joined Wigan in January 2010, going on to win the FA Cup with the Latics.
Caldwell went on to manage Wigan, Partick Thistle and Chesterfield, and was the loans coach at Manchester City, before recently joining Hibernian as part of fellow former Celt Shaun Maloney’s coaching staff.
Caldwell will make his return to Celtic Park next month when the Easter Road side travel to Glasgow on league duty.
Caldwell was a more than decent player for the Hoops, who was part of a Celtic side that performed well both domestically and in Europe, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League twice. That is the mark of just how good that Celtic side were, and Caldwell played his part in that success.