King Harald

He may have scored ‘that’ goal but Harald Brattbakk says it was a real team effort that stopped the 10.

- Mark Henderson

IT was only after the event that Harald Brattbakk fully realised the magnitude of his goal that sealed Celtic’s first championship in 10 long years.

The Norwegian striker had arrived at the Hoops halfway through the 1997/98 season from Rosenborg as the Hoops fought desperately to stop Rangers from making it 10-in-a-row.

Over the closing weeks of a rollercoaster campaign, the advantage in the title race swung between the two sides until it went down to the last day of the season, with Wim Jansen’s side requiring a win over St Johnstone to get across the line first.

Henrik Larsson opened the scoring for the Bhoys but nerves remained at breaking point until Brattbakk came off the bench and slotted home Jackie McNamara’s cross with 20 minutes remaining on the clock, clinching the victory and a championship that the Celtic supporters had so long desperately craved.

For the players, management, supporters and the whole of the Celtic family around the world, it was an unforgettable day and the celebrations went on long into the night. Brattbakk’s place in Celtic history was assured.

Here, the 47-year-old, who is now a commercial airline pilot for Norwegian Air Shuttle, caught up with the View to talk about the day he helped the Hoops land the title that ‘stopped the 10’.

Looking back, does it feel like 20 years since that incredible game took place?

When you say it was 20 years ago, I don’t think it’s possible. I know it obviously is, but I think, because of the significance of the game and the good memories around that game, for every Celtic supporter, that day isn’t far away in their minds.

How special does it feel to have played such an important part in Celtic history?