Ian Wright reveals incredible Mark Viduka Celtic dressing-room walkout in Inverness disaster

Ian Wright has recalled the remarkable moment Mark Viduka refused to return for the second half of Celtic's infamous Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The 3-1 loss at Celtic Park in February 2000 ultimately cost John Barnes his job, but Wright has revealed the turmoil had already begun inside the dressing room at half-time.

Speaking on The Green Room, the former Celtic striker recalled Viduka beginning to remove his kit as Barnes and assistant Eric Black questioned what he was doing.

Wright said via The Overlap: "Yeah, Inverness Caledonian Thistle. He [Viduka] just started taking his gear off. I've never seen it before.

"You know, we're losing obviously Caledonian Thistle and came halftime the fans are booing, going crazy.

"He just came in and you know when someone just like the end of the game you start taking your gear off. Started taking his gear off and Barnes and Eric Black said what you doing?

"He says, 'F*** this man. I've had enough of this.'"

Wright claims Viduka then headed for the shower, leaving Barnes needing to make an unexpected half-time substitution.

Wright continued: "When they were talking to him and he just went into the shower and then Barnes went, 'Wright', I go for f*** sake, 'Wright get stripped, he's not coming back, you're a disgrace.'

"But it was like one of those when you're watching it in real time, it's like a film. You can't believe what you're seeing."

Viduka's absence was attributed to a knee injury by his agent at the time, while reports also suggested there had been a dressing-room confrontation involving the Australian and Black.

Roy Keane, who was listening to Wright recount the incident, admitted he could understand a player reaching breaking point mentally, although he stressed Viduka's actions were wrong.

Keane said: "That's not right but also when a player's mindset when your head goes…"

Keane replied: "No, I get that, of course I'm saying it's not right. But also, a player, when your head's gone, the head's gone, isn't it?"

Wright then said: "He went to the point of no return."

Celtic were actually trailing 2-1 at the interval rather than 1-0, with Wright replacing Viduka for the second half.

There was to be no comeback as Inverness completed a stunning 3-1 victory at Parkhead. Barnes was dismissed just two days later, bringing his ill-fated spell as Celtic manager to an end.

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