Following on from Billy McNeill was never going to be an easy task, with Roddy McDonald first to be handed the task.
The McNeill standard was a high one with leadership qualities also expected in the role. Tom McAdam and various others had stints in the role to varying levels of success without really providing the domineering presence expected.
As manager second time around McNeill tinkered with three centre-backs at times with Lex Baillie emerging during that season.
A lot of money was wasted on a Brazilian whose name will never be forgotten before Martin O'Neill brought a new way of thinking to the position with three brutes employed in the centre with Bobo Balde the type of defender loved by O'Neill.
Gordon Strachan found success in Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell before a succession of younger 'project' signings were tried including Thomas Rogne and the eccentric Jos Hooiveld - and who could forget Josh Thompson?
But who was the best? Here are five real contenders, and don't forget to cast your vote on the final page...
JOHAN MJALLBY
Signed by Jo Venglos as a midfielder, Mjallby enjoyed a very memorable debut as Celtic beat Dick Advocaat's Rangers side 5-1.
Initially he was left out of Martin O'Neill's plans but forced his way into the side where his ability, bravery and attitude made him a favourite with the fans and management.
He wore his heart on his sleeve and never shirked a single tackle. Injury curtailed his final season before he moved on to a brief spell in Spain with Levante.
*Cast your vote on the final page...
BOBO BALDE
Joined Celtic in 2001 after a dispute with Toulouse, but not many came out a winner against Bobo.
The Celtic support quickly adopted 'Bobo's Going To Get You' as his song and when Bobo got you, you stayed got!
Alongside Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren, O'Neill found the rock to build his team around with only the bravest of strikers prepared to mix it with that defence.
A bizarre contract agreement caused his Celtic career to end in controversial circumstances but on the park there were few as commanding in the air as Dianbobo.
*Cast your vote on the final page...
ALAN STUBBS
It was a major shock but sign of the times when Tommy Burns was able to bring Stubbs from Bolton to Celtic for a £2.5m fee in 1996.
His first season wasn't one to remember but alongside Marc Reiper he played a major role in stopping ten-in-a row, including a last gasp derby goal that earned a point that turned out to be highly signifiant.
In 1999 a routine doping test after the Scottish Cup Final detected testicular cancer at an early stage but typical of the player he battled back to full fitness and form.
Stubbs appeared occasionally under Martin O'Neill before returning to his native Merseyside and signing for Everton.
*Cast your vote on the final page...
VIRGIL VAN DIJK
Quickly established himself in the Scottish game but gave the Viduka impression of only having to play at 80% of his ability in the domestic game.
It wasn't long before he was linked with a move to England with his time at Celtic clearly a stepping stone to the land of milk and honey.
His partnership with Jason Denayer was one of the safest ever seen at the club but it was never going to be a long term arrangement, with a £12m offer from Southampton bringing a halt to two memorable seasons in the hoops.
*Cast your vote on the final page...
STEPHEN MCMANUS
Was a late developer who flourished under Gordon Strachan after being given a chance in the post-O'Neill era.
If he had been given a run alongside any of O'Neill's favourites his Celtic career could have been more decorated but it was a home grown partnership with Gary Caldwell that twice took Celtic through the group stages of the Champions League with Manchester United and AC Milan among the casualties.
Like the majority of players he inherited Tony Mowbray wasn't a fan of McManus, with a loan to be reunited with Strachan at Middlesbrough followed up by a permanent deal agreed by Neil Lennon, given the task.
An undervalued captain who led Celtic to the dramatic and emotional title win at Tannadice in 2008.
Cast your vote below...