The First Noel

Oasis main man, Noel Gallagher took in his first Glasgow derby as Celtic went all supersonic on Rangers in the 6-2 game and spoke to the View’s Joe Sullivan 19 years ago this week

THIS week marks the anniversary of one of the most enjoyable derby matches of this Millennium – Martin O’Neill’s first such match in charge of the Hoops when they annihilated Rangers 6-2 on the march to a memorable and more-than-welcome treble.

Just like today, when Paradise reverberates to the I Wanna be Edouard take of the Stone Roses’ I Wanna Be Adored, Celtic Park also rocked on a match-by-match basis to the refrains of another Manchester band – Oasis, and their 1995 hit, Roll With It.

And, on Sunday, August 27, 2000, when both sides of Glasgow’s football divide faced off against each other once more, there was a more-than-interested spectator taking in the proceedings for the first time.

Fresh from playing at Glasgow Green the night before, Noel Gallagher breezed in to Celtic Park to take in the action. Brother, Liam was also supposed to be at the game, but he stayed at back at base along with fellow Celtic fan, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie.

However, Noel had to call the band’s frontman during the game, and held his mobile up so that Liam could hear the crowd at Celtic Park belting out yet another throaty rendition of Roll With It as the Hoops tore Rangers apart.

The View caught up with Noel before the game, but at half time, with the Celts already leading 3-1 and looking like scoring at nearly every opportunity, your trusty reporter went down to the boardroom to ask, considering what was happening on the pitch, would he be available to top-up the interview after the game.

The Oasis guitarist readily agreed and we republish the full interview here (with apologies to fellow Celtic fan, Lewis Capaldi, who was only three at the time). He also talks about how his beloved Manchester City would never catch United in his lifetime – how times have changed!