Darren Jackson helped stop their ten and won over the Celtic support

When Wim Jansen took the reigns at Celtic Park back in 1997 he faced an uphill task from the word go, what with it being an all important campaign, not to mention an urgent need for new faces. So it surprised more than a few when one of Wim’s first signing was revealed to the a very familiar name and face in Darren Jackson.

Approaching 31, Jackson was heading into the latter stages of his career, a career that started at the now defunct Meadowbank Thistle, via Newcastle United, before moving back north to make his name with Dundee United and Hibs.

Darren was also a full Scottish international so he had the pedigree, but still it was a rather unexpected signing, and it didn’t help that he wasn’t exactly a popular figure in the eyes of the Celtic support. He was one of those players who you couldn’t take to if he wasn’t in your side, indeed he wasn’t a popular figure with supporters of most clubs apart from Hibs.

It came as no surprise to learn that he recently revealed that he followed Rangers when he was younger, especially if you are happened to read the popular football magazine ‘Shoot’ in your youth, as this eagle eyed blogger did, and remember Jackson being asked in one of those question pieces, ‘what club did you support as a boy?’ and it was no surprise his answer was ‘Rangers’.

However Darren choose to sign for the green half of Glasgow so was naturally welcomed by the Celtic supporters just like any other signing, but like every other player he would be under extreme pressure in a ever so vital campaign, one like no other.

Darren quickly hit the ground running and scored his first goal on his home debut in a UEFA cup qualifier against Welsh minnows Inter Cable Tel at Celtic Park. He didn’t have to wait long for his next effort as he found the net against Berwick Rangers, the same game a certain Henrik Larsson scored his first Celtic goal in a 7-0 league cup romp at Tyncastle.

He added a further effort, a superb finish in a vital 2-0 win against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Things were starting to look up for Darren until he was forced to go to hospital before a European clash with Tirol Innsbruck at Celtic Park at the end of August, after suffering from a severe migraine.

Darren then received the devastating news that he had a serious brain condition, but the good news was that it wasn’t life threatening, but needed treatment all the same, and he immediately underwent surgery to correct the issue.

Naturally he would miss all football related activities for the next three months as he recovered, but football would be the last thing on his thoughts as quite rightly his number one priority was fighting back to full health.

Darren received nothing but well wishes from the Celtic support and everyone in the Scottish game as he battled back to full health, and battle back he did, as he made his long waited return in a pivotal midweek November games against Rangers, at Celtic Park, and as he entered the array as a substitute, he received a warm and rapturous reception.

Darren didn’t have to wait long until his first goal since his illness which arrived against Aberdeen at Pittodrie a few weeks later, and showed how much it meant as he got momentarily lost whilst celebrating amongst the Celtic supporters behind the goal, and the travelling support loudly chanted his name as he made his way back to the centre circle. Never ever would we have imagined that scenario just 12 months previously.

With the signing of Harald Brattbakk and good form of Simon Donnelly and Henrik Larsson, Darren struggled to command a regular place but still contributed to our title win by making 31 appearances and scoring six goals in all competitions as we won the League Cup, and more importantly stopped the dreaded ten by winning the league title.

Sadly that was as good as it got for Darren and he struggled to command a regular place at Celtic and spent a loan stint at Coventry City before returning to Edinburgh but this time in the maroon of Hearts where he would spend two years before winding his career down with Livingston, St Johnstone and Clydebank.

Darren Jackson may have once upon a time been an unpopular figure amongst our support, but thanks to his contribution to one of our most important and memorable title wins, he will always have a wee soft spot in our hearts. After all he helped stop their ten.