‘I’M A LISBON LIONS FAN,’ MALMO BOSS

MALMO boss Age Hareide has revealed he is a fan of Celtic’s Lisbon Lions – and he can even rattle off the team that beat Inter Milan that historic European Cup-winning day in the Portuguese capital on May 25, 1967.

The veteran Norwegian, 61, will plot the Champions League downfall of Ronny Deila’s team in the first leg of the play-off at Celtic Park tomorrow night.

But, before leading his team into battle in the east end of Glasgow, he admitted he was a huge admirer of the Hoops line-up that conquered Europe 48 years ago.

Hareide said: “I’ve followed Celtic from the early days, I’m that old. I remember Jimmy
 Johnstone and the team that won the European Cup.

“I watched the Final against Inter Milan when I was young. Jimmy was a fantastic player and I remember all the names – Bobby Murdoch, Bobby Lennox, Billy McNeill.

“And, after that, guys like Danny McGrain. All of them were top players of European standard back then.

“Scotland have always produced very good players. When I was playing in England in the 80s the Scotland team were better than the English. They had guys like Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Archie Gemmill. They’ve always produced good attacking players.

“When I was watching the Kilmarnock v Celtic game last week, I was fascinated by the winger Forrest. He looked like a good old Scottish winger with pace and flair. He reminds me of Willie Johnston who I remember from his West Brom days.

“Forrest is that type of player with quick feet. He’s more of a winger than a midfielder – he’s a throwback.”

Hareide also recalled his playing days at Manchester City and Norwich and mixing with Scots – and a certain Irishman.

He said: “I played alongside a few Scots – Tommy Hutchison was at Manchester City 
as were Gerry Gow and Bobby McDonald.

“At Norwich, I played in the same team as Ross Jack. We’d play five-a-sides – it was the rest of the world v England. So I was with the Scots along with Martin O’Neill. We had a good team.

“I know Martin well because we played together at City and Norwich. We actually had a reunion at Norwich in 2003 and Martin brought his Celtic team down for a game.

“When I had the Norway national team, I’d go over to Aston Villa while Martin was there to watch my player John Carew. 

“I met Scotland twice when I was Norway manager so I know all about them. We’re practically related to the Scots!

“Scottish football fascinates me because I think there is a lot of potential in the players there.

“Since Ronny Deila has come to Celtic it has strengthened the Scandinavian relationship with Celtic.

“It started with Henrik Larsson and from there Celtic have had a lot of followers over here.

“We always look at the Scottish league to see the qualities of the teams there.”

Despite his affection for Celtic and Scotland, Hareide will be doing everything in his power tomorrow night to dump the Hoops out of the Champions League.

And he knows his Malmo side will need to nullify the threat of Norway’s best current player Stefan Johansen.

Hareide believes if Scotland’s Player of the Year continues to progress at Parkhead he’ll move to an even higher level.

He added: “I know Stefan well. He has worked really hard at Celtic and has established himself both there and with the Norway national team.

“He has worked so much at his game and I’ve no doubt if he stays fit and doesn’t have any injuries he can go on to be a player at the very top.”