The final Scottish Premier League table for 2011-12 showed Celtic as champions by a considerable distance. However, it does not do justice to an extraordinary season which contained many twists and turns.
Neil Lennon's side made an uncertain start, perhaps distracted by the furore surrounding their Europa League exit and subsequent reinstatement. Inconsistent league form in the early months saw them lose ground on perennial rivals Rangers and when the hoops found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to lowly Kilmarnock, Lennon's tenure as manager hung by a thread. But the hoops' character and resolve saw them fight back with three goals in the last 20 minutes for the unlikeliest of draws.
This proved to be a pivotal moment of the season. It would be another five months before their next league defeat. In the meantime, Rangers would disintegrate both on and off the field, surrendering a 15-point lead in less than two months and then being forced into administration. Some among their legion of media cheerleaders would brand the title "tainted". Nothing could be further from the truth. Celtic won the title, fairly and deservedly, by being the best team over 38 games.
The author chronicles the progress of the season in a clear and accessible way. He also gives a forthright analysis of the individual contributions made by each squad member, and does not shirk from issuing criticism when it is considered necessary. However, the disparaging of opposition players is occasionally overdone, and he is also a little too forgiving towards Lennon for the team's failures to add at least one of the domestic cups to the trophy cabinet.
Nevertheless, there is plenty within these pages to intrigue and delight its primary audience of Celtic followers, and the book provides a fitting tribute not only to the current side, but those who preceded them.