MARC ANTHONY banked a £500 Celtic win bonus without kicking a ball.

But he couldn’t put a value on the experience of seeing Paolo Di Canio in full flow.

Former Celtic kid Anthony came off the bench for the last few minutes as the Italian grabbed his first goal in Scottish football in the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock in August 1996.

Di Canio was still settling at the Hoops after joining from AC Milan and was named as a sub at Rugby Park.

But Anthony watched in awe as the maverick forward led a comeback win for Tommy Burns’ entertaining side in Ayrshire.

He said: “I will never forget that Killie game. We were wearing the bumblebee strip and Paolo scored his first goal.

“We only had three subs in those days and I was on the bench with him and Simon Donnelly.

“Paolo was working towards full fitness but we all knew how good he was.

“ I just remember looking at him and saying, ‘Well, he’s definitely going on before me’.

“The team was losing when Tommy sent him on and Paolo was outstanding. He got the equaliser and we never looked back.

“Andreas Thom also scored and then Jorge Cadete got the third to seal it.

“But Paolo was the inspiration behind that win and he never looked back after that.

“I was only 18 but Tommy put me on for Pierre van Hooijdonk late on and that meant I got the win bonus!

“I’m sure it was about £500 and to be honest, I don’t think I even touched the ball.

“I was delighted but it was a great experience to be in that team with so many top players.

“I was lucky that I got to be around so many greats during that time at Celtic.

“Paul McStay was always someone I looked up to and I also had a great relationship with John Collins, who took me under his wing a bit.

“The foreign boys who came in were also top class – the likes of Cadete, Thom and van Hooijdonk.

“But of those guys, I felt Paolo was the best. He was unreal – a sensational player.

“He came in from Milan and you could tell he had played at the highest level.

“We saw it in training before he started playing and he was just so good to watch.

“Paolo had natural talent but he also worked so hard.

“It’s just a shame that Tommy’s team didn’t win the league because he built such an entertaining side.

“I remember thinking back ‘What else do they have to do?’ because Celtic held their own against Rangers most of the time when Tommy came in.”

Anthony, 46, spent time with Berwick Rangers and Forfar after leaving Celtic in 1999.

He then travelled to Australia for a year in 2007 and has been in Perth ever since – settling with his family.

Anthony played for Perth Glory and various other clubs before moving into coaching.

He is currently boss of Football West State League side Murdoch University Melville FC.

Anthony said: “I came over with some mates for a year to try it out, I started playing football and then went into coaching.

“I met my missus, had a couple of kids and I love it over here.

“I really enjoy the coaching and management and we did well in the league this season.

“I have been back home a few times and I was at the Old Firm game in September.

“Celtic were excellent and it’s amazing how things have changed since my time at the club in the 1990s.

“Back then, we were always chasing Rangers and that maybe hindered the young players.

“It was tougher to get a chance when there was so much pressure on every game.

“Now Celtic are well ahead and are also playing some great stuff in the Champions League.

“They seem to be getting the scouting right, while Rangers are struggling on that side.

“I watch all the Old Firm games but I also try to stay calm – because my missus is a Rangers fan!”