There is nothing worse than getting off to a stinker in pre-season and then going into a league campaign with losses behind you and low morale. However, that is exactly what happened for Sunderland in the summer before their Championship relegation season. The Mackems hosted a friendly against Celtic and were battered 5-0 at home.
FULL TIME: It’s all over at the SoL as the Scottish-treble winners run out victorious in the #DafabetCup17 pic.twitter.com/FMcm7Bdyma
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) 29 July 2017
The game could not have mirrored how both of the club’s seasons would go more. For the Mackems, the 5-0 defeat was followed by a season of despair. The Black Cats won just seven games in the Championship and were relegated for the second time in 12 months. Meanwhile, Celtic went on and won another domestic treble, so it’s clear to see who the winners of that were.
Things may have improved a lot this season for Sunderland, but that game against Celtic will always live long in the memory. That was the day when a lot of the fand realise the horrors that would be awaiting them in the season, and it’s a day that will always be looked back on with deep regret and anguish. The fans can be forgiven for fearing the worst afterwards too, as Newcastle fans flocked to taunt them and they started to understand that relegation might be on the cards.
You can see what the Mackems said after the Celtic embarrassment here:
It was their reserves man! #SAFC from top to bottom is ran like a circus. Well done.
— Todd Young (@YoungyCK1) July 29, 2017
Celtic win. Shock horror there, I would love to grab short by the throat and just show him what passion is. He’s wrecked MY club
— TWANGMACKEM (@twangmackem) 29 July 2017
That wasn't good #wallopped
— andy (@andym1009) July 30, 2017
Shocking result today… really am worried about Friday… thought we had a strong side out also… we need some defenders with balls…
— Bjorn Dunkley (@dunkley1980) July 29, 2017
Jeez it's going to be a long season
— Scott Holt (@Scottinho123) July 29, 2017
league 1 incoming
— Mike Jones (@MrMikeDJones) 29 July 2017
Disgusting, shameful, can't wait for the new season lads!
— Richie Snowdon (@RichieSnowdon) July 29, 2017
To think that's the team we will probably play on Friday
— Ross (@Ross_AC2000) July 29, 2017
The Mackems could not believe the level of performance on that fateful day against Celtic, and it turned out that there was so much of it to come throughout an abysmal 2017/18.
Sunderland fans, cast your minds back to that result, how did you feel? Join the discussion by commenting below…
