Barry Robson reflects on what he loved about playing for Celtic

Celtic fans have enjoyed the exploits of some extremely gifted midfielders throughout years gone by at Parkhead.

One who probably never got the credit he deserved in green and white is Barry Robson, who spent three years at the club before departing for Middlesbrough in 2010, winning a Scottish Premiership title and Scottish League Cup.

Brought in from Dundee United, Robson went on to rack up seven goals and seven assists in 54 appearances for Celtic, including strikes such as his ice-cool penalty against Rangers and header against Barcelona in 2007/08 [Transfermarkt].

Following his spell in Yorkshire, the 45-year-old finished his playing days at Vancouver Whitecaps, Sheffield United, and finally Aberdeen before taking the plunge into management in the North East, lasting just over a year in the dugout at Pittodrie, first as interim boss and then permanently.

Now, Celtic have announced Robson will return to feature in the charity match against Borussia Dortmund Legends on the 26th of this month, joining a long list of former stars such as Scott Brown, Artur Boruc, and Gary Hooper, among others, in signing up for the event, with tickets still available on the club website.

Funds raised from the occasion organised by the Celtic FC Foundation are going towards supplying food provision in several locations across the UK & Ireland, alongside a donation being made to Dundee Cancer Centre at Ninewells Hospital.

Barry Robson on what he loved about playing for Celtic

Robson was a hard-working midfielder who goes under the radar for his work in a Celtic jersey, and he certainly wore his heart on his sleeve when plying his trade in Glasgow’s east end.

Speaking to the club’s official media channels after being announced as the latest participant in the Bhoys’ charity match, the ex-Scotland international shed light on what he missed about life at the club, citing the bond he had with his teaMMAtes and thriving under the pressure of playing in front of 60,000.

He stated [Celtic FC]: “It’s the memories you look back on and we were actually a very successful team.

“We got to the last 16 of the Champions League and won leagues and cups, so to share those experiences with that group of players was great, so it’ll be good to meet up again with the likes of Broony, Big Jan, Artur and Mick.

“Celtic is more than a club, and when you’ve played there or been lucky enough to meet the people and be there, you realise it’s more than a Football club – I always say that to people.

“You could go and play for big clubs in England, but they’re not as big as Celtic. It’s not the same pressure, but I’m telling you that now. There are not many clubs in the world that have got that demand.”

Robson is still a well-heralded presence among the Celtic support, who valued his endeavour featuring as a box-to-box midfielder during Gordon Strachan’s era at Parkhead.

Fortunately, fans have another opportunity to see him strut his stuff alongside a host of former heroes later in the month, on what promises to be a special day with some great causes at its heart.