We’ve been here several times before. Our first venture into the Champions League play-off round was in 1998 against (then) Croatia Zagreb. Zagreb were clearly the better team but while a 1-0 win in the home leg gave us hope we were outclassed in the return game.
The unforgettable tie against Ajax was next. Celtic’s best away performance in this tournament saw us beat the Dutch champions 1-3 in Amsterdam. Ajax were clearly caught cold and performed infinitely better at Celtic Park, winning 0-1, but Celtic shut up shop to deny them any real chance of progression.
Basel were unknown and un-fancied in 2002 but their movement in central midfield was too much for Celtic, although curiously they only managed to perform for 45 minutes in each game. An away goal defeat blocked our route to the top competition. MTK Budapest were professionally swept aside in 2003.
Who can forget Spartak Moscow? Just as they had done against Ajax, Celtic did the hard work away in the first leg, returning with a 1-1 draw, but incredible dramas unfolded at Celtic Park. Roman Pavluchenko levelled Scott McDonald’s opener but the Russian missed a first half penalty. The game went to extra time and with minutes left a defender punched Scott Brown’s shot off the line. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missed with the resulting spot kick setting up a memorable penalty competition.
Vennegoor of Hesselink and Pavluchenko both scored this time as brave efforts from Gary Caldwell, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski, who almost certainly knew he would never kick another ball for Celtic, and a save by Artur Boruc, sent us through. Naka proved that 12 yards is too close a dead ball distance for him.
A favourite Celtic Park memory? You bet.
The adrenaline is pumping already. Bring it on.
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I see Phil has a new book out
Downfall How Rankers FC self destructed…
I hate when Celtic TV has no pictures for the game and I have to go round the houses looking for a sausage…
TerryONeill Neil ah love yae
It took a hell of a long time for the penny to drop with you, my friend.
They used you for long enough and you gave them the opportunity to do so.
Wise counsel on here told you many times to ignore them, but, I’m afraid your vanity wouldn’t let you.
Anyway, back to the game.
A very attack minded team out tonight or perhaps that is the sum total of fit, experienced players.
Good luck, lads.
new article posted.
Remember the Moscow game, couldn’t face the penalties, had to leave , stood outside Paradise with about 200 others listening to the roars.
Great days indeed, looking back I didn’t realise just how good WGS got the team playing as after Seville it was kinda expected.
Ac Milan, Donetsk, Man U fantastic, thanks wee man for the memories!
Hail Hail , c’mon the hoops, think that line up will be good enough
Broonie 1st goal scorer 2-0 win for the Hoops, 125/1. That’ll do me. HH
Wonkyradar
wicker ornaments class pure class
ElDiegobhoy cheers hope yir well,
setting free the bears , clyde do not deserve our support
the homebhoys would put them to shame ,
the disrepect clyde showed me and continue to show to other Celtic fans
should be met with the withdrawl of our contribution.
Neill,yes it was written .
Dessy,ah like the strapline for the Homebhoys podcast
Turn off clyde and Support Your Side.
Terry O,
I wouldn’t listen to Clyde if you paid me. Can’t stand any show with Traynor in it either. I believe you spoke eloquently on Clyde. Sorry that thye have mistreated you but they seem to do with same with each Celtic contributor. We should avoid all these talk-ins. They have decided to support and promote the deid team. Let them die too.
Game’s started.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO