CELTIC have had some memorable jousts with English opposition in the past. Here is the record.
1965/66: Cup-Winners Cup: Semi-final
Celtic 1 Liverpool 0
Jock Stein’s men won with Bobby Lennox’s second-half whiplash effort, but it was a night of missed chances with Joe McBride and Stevie Chalmers the main cuplrits.
Liverpool 2 Celtic 0 (Agg: 2-1)
The Parkhead men looked in control until two quickfire second-half goals turned the tie on its head. Tommy Smith blasted in a free-kick and Geoff Strong headed a second. Lennox had a ‘goal’ ruled out near the end in controversial circumstances. Belgian referee, Josef Hannet, later admitted he got it wrong.
1969/70: European Cup: Semi-final
Leeds Utd 0 Celtic 1
George Connelly scored only minutes after the start to shake Don Revie’s much-vaunted English champions. The midfielder had another ruled out minutes after the interval in a game dominated by the Hoops.
Celtic 2 Leeds Utd 1 (Agg: 3-1)
Billy Bremner shocked his boyhood heroes with a long-range drive that flew into Evan Williams’ top right-hand corner. But John Hughes levelled on the night with a flying header and Bobby Murdoch made certain with a first-time belter from the edge of the box.
1983/84: UEFA Cup: Third Rnd
Nottingham Forest 0 Celtic 0
Skipper Paul McStay missed a glorious opportunity to give Davie Hay’s men an away victory when he shot over the bar from close range with only a couple of minutes to play.
Celtic 1 Nottingham Forest 2 (Agg: 1-2)
Brian Clough’s team provided the perfect one-two suckerpunch as they overcame the Hoops in Glasgow. Steve Hodge and Colin Walsh netted twice in the second-half for the visitors before Murdo MacLeod claimed a late crumb of comfort for the Bhoys.
1997/98
UEFA Cup: First Rnd
Celtic 2 Liverpool 2
Wim Jansen’s men were undone by a late breakaway goal from Steve McManaman after Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly (penalty) had them ahead. Michael Owen had scored a fifth-minute opener for the Merseysiders.
Liverpool 0 Celtic 0 (Agg: 2-2; Liverpool on away goals)
Donnelly missed from practically under the crossbar as he sent a shot spiralling into the Anfield crowd and blew Celtic’s best chance of an upset. Gerard Houllier’s team went through on the goals away rule.
2002/03: UEFA Cup: Second Rnd
Celtic 1 Blackburn 0
Graeme Souness didn’t enjoy a return to the home of his old rivals when a goal from Henrik Larsson gave Celtic a valuable one-goal advantage. Rovers played well and skipper Garry Flitcroft later said it was like “men against boys”.
Blackburn 0 Celtic 2 (Agg: 0-3)
The Bhoys retaliated in splendid fashion at Ewood park when goals from Larsson and Chris Sutton gave them a comfortable aggregate triumph.
2002/03: UEFA Cup: Quarter-final:
Celtic 1 Liverpool 1
Larsson was on the mark early on, but Emile Heskey rolled in the equaliser past Rab Douglas before the interval.
Liverpool 0 Celtic 2 (Agg: 1-3)
Martin O’Neill fired up his players for the Merseyside return and Alan Thompson gave them the lead with a clever free-kick before John Hartson scored one of his most memorable goals with a solo run and pulverising finish for an epic victory.
2007/08: Champions League: Group stage:
Manchester Utd 3 Celtic 2
A dreadful error from Thomas Gravesen provided Ole Gunnar Solkskjaer with a winning goal at Old Trafford after Jan Venneger of Hesselink and Shunsuke Nakamura had scored for Gordon Strachan’s team to nullify two strikes from Louis Saha, one a penalty-kick.
Celtic 1 Manchester Utd 0
A spectacular long-range free-kick from Japanese ace Nakamara sailed beyond the flapping Edwin van der Sar to light up the east end of Glasgow and put the Hoops in the knock-out stages.
2008/09: Champions League: Group stage:
Celtic 1 Manchester Utd 1
Scott McDonald blasted in a wonderful opener that left Ben Foster helpless, but Artur Boruc mishandled a Cristiano shot and Ryan Giggs claimed the leveller.
Manchester Utd 3 Celtic 0
Dimitar Berbatov netted twice and Wayne Rooney added another as the holders overwhelmed Strachan’s injury-hit line-up.
2009/10: Champions League: Qualifying Rnd:
Celtic 0 Arsenal 2
Tony Mowbray’s men had no luck in Glasgow when William Gallus scored from a deflected free-kick and Gary Caldwell later put through his own goal.
Arsenal 3 Celtic 1 (Agg: 5-1)
Arsene Wenger’s Gunners were awarded a controversial penalty-kick after Eduardo went down without being touched by Boruc. Eduardo scored from the award. Emmanuel Eboue and Andrey SArshavin added further goals after the turnaround. Massimo Donati scored the visitors’ consolation in the fading moments.
