THIS IS A CRISIS

Gillespie saw sack the board demo 30 years ago and insists current issues are no big deal | Sold out Celtic Park every home game, trophies and trebles season after season but fans still fume

- CRAIG SWAN

GARY GILLESPIE reckons Celtic are a victim of their own success.

And the former Parkhead defender insists the club are a million miles away from the days when he could see Sack The Board messages on the crumbling terraces 30 years ago.

Last weekend's 2-0 loss to Hearts, following a collapse at Kilmarnock, brought an outburst of anger from some fuming punters.

Despite a lengthy and sustained period of success over the past 20 years and £70million in the bank, there was chanting for the removal of the hierarchy.

On this week in 1993, the same mantra was heard.

When Celtic faced Hibs at home, a group of fans stood together in T-shirts spelling out "Back The Team, Sack The Board" to overcome the board's efforts to stop a banner protest.

Under 17,000 were at the game as Paul McStay hit the winner with the club and team in turmoil.

Celtic were deep in the midst of a barren spell without a single trophy, having last lifted silverware in 1989 when Joe Miller's strike beat Rangers in Scottish Cup Final.

And they wouldn't get their hands on any again until Pierre van Hooijdonk's header beat Airdrie in the 1995 showpiece.

At the same time, their oldest rivals from across the city were enjoying complete dominance of the domestic game and making waves in the Champions League as Celtic, under Lou Macari after the sacking of Liam Brady, toiled.