Out of both cup competitions in the early rounds and struggling for consistancy in the league, season 1985-86 seemed set to end trophy-less for Celtic.

With just nine league games to go the Hoops headed across the city to play to Rangers on the back of three successive 1-1 home draws which seemingly all but ended their title aspirations. Hearts were now big favourites to lift the championship trophy and the Old Firm clash was viewed as just a scrap for local bragging rights.

However an exhilaratingly frantic 4-4 draw in swamp like conditions at Ibrox would prove the catalyst for a remarkable unbeaten run which would take Celtic’s title fight to the very last day. That late surge saw the Celt’s pick up a maximum 14 points from seven games. But with Hearts boasting a two point lead and a better goal difference Davie Hay’s Bhoys travelled to St Mirren knowing that only a Hearts defeat at Dundee and a Celtic victory by at least three goals would take the title.

It was an unlikely scenario but a sense of belief had been building among the Celtic support. As the army of Celtic fans made the short trip to Love Street there was real hope that they were about to witness another very special day in the history of their club.

On a rain sodden pitch the opening minutes were naturally tense. But the visitors – wearing their mint green away kit – soon settled and their play took on a distinct sense of purpose. With Celtic pushing forward the drab and damp Paisley afternoon was suddenly lit up with a display of attacking football which the Buddies had no answer for.

Celtic had gone to Love Street with a job to do but no one expected them to perform the task with such cutting alacrity. A bullet header from Brian McClair and a strike from Mo Johnston had put the visitors firmly in command by the half-hour mark.

Celtic’s third goal was a thing of beauty. Starting from the edge of their own area the Bhoys swept the length of the Love Street pitch with a wonderfully flowing and swift passing move. Danny McGrain, Murdo MacLeod, Paul McStay, Roy Aitken and McClair all combined with devastating efficiency before the ball was expertly dispatched into the St Mirren net from close range by on rushing Johnston.

A McStay drive made it four before half time. The soaked and huge travelling support huddled in hope on the Paisley terracing were now really starting to believe.

Just 10 minutes into the second half McClair’s second of the match made it 5-0.

Meanwhile over on the east coast Hearts were still being held 0-0 at Dundee. Attention now turned almost exclusively to events at Dens Park. A draw was enough for the Edinburgh club to take the title but just one slip could cost them dearly. Across the nation transistor radios, and the tension, began to crackle.

While thousands of Celtic supporters pressed their ears to the nearest wireless and willed for a Dundee breakthrough one particular Hoops fan was about to take matters into his own hands. As a long season entered its final minutes the game in Paisley was petering to a close. St Mirren keeper Jim Stewart gathered the ball in his area as Celtic pressed forward once more. As the keeper nonchalantly prepared to launch the ball down field he was startled by a sudden and joyous roar from the terracing. Scenes of delirium swept around him as countless radios relayed the remarkable news -.Dundee had scored.

Albert Kidd, Dundee substitute and Celtic supporter, had come off the bench to deliver a fatal blow to the Tynecastle club. It was, as the TV commentator stated, “Lift off at Love Street”.

That goal shattered Hearts. Fears of an equaliser for the Edinburgh club were quickly extinguished as Kidd netted a second to spark further wild celebrations. The Gorgie Road club had fell with the championship winning line tantalisingly in sight - it was party time in Paisley.

As the final whistle sounded the Celtic players were swamped by hundreds of ecstatic supporters and a jubilant chorus of You’ll Never Walk Alone boomed into the murky sky. Celtic were champions.