BRENDAN RODGERS is hoping his Celtic players can draw inspiration from training in the shadow of Lisbon’s Estadio Nacional.
History was made on the evening of May 25 1967 when Jock Stein’s team became the first UK club to conquer Europe with the never-to-be-forgotten 2-1 triumph over Inter Milan in the sunkissed Portuguese capital.
It’s a pilgrimage thousands of supporters have journeyed through the years to honour the Hoops side who soared to unimagined heights of soccer success against the Italian side who were massive favourites to see off the Scottish upstarts.
HAIL CAESAR…Billy McNeill holds the European Cup at Estadio Nacional on May 25 1967.
Sandro Mazzola tucked away a seventh-minute penalty-kick and everything appeared to be going according to the form book, but Stein’s eleven, with Billy McNeill the inspirational onfield leader, refused to accept defeat.
Adventurous left-back Tommy Gemmell walloped in the unstoppable equaliser after the hour mark and, with the clock ticking down, Stevie Chalmers diverted a Bobby Murdoch pass into the net for the winner.
As he prepared to take his players on a tour of the famous old stadium after training yesterday, Rodgers admitted: “It’s a great facility here in Portugal. It’s a national team base.
“I said to the players: ‘We always want to give you the best to get the best from you.’
“But also not taking away the notion that you’re training in the shadows of greatness here.
“Behind you, I said, that night changed the course and direction of this football club forever.
“So, we will go and see it, because it’s a huge part of our history. And we’ll look forward to doing that.
“I’ve never had a visit. Is it on the bucket list? Absolutely.
SCREEN STAR…Brendan Rodgers chats to Celtic TV.
“I know for many Celtic supporters who have visited, there’s a real emotional feeling around it.
“For Scottish football, not just Celtic, it put the flag in for the country as well. It will be nice to go and feel the nostalgia.”
Will the current-day Celtic players be inspired by the visit? Rodgers, speaking to the Scottish Sun, answered: “Yes, well, it’s why they come here to Celtic.
“The inspiration is there for them. They see the star when they come to the ground every other week.
“So, yes, these guys have done incredible for this football club.
“It’s what is part of the big attraction for these players to come – having that history in the Champions League is really inspiring for them and obviously keeps them grounded, keeps them humble and keeps them focused on being the very best that they can be.”
Rodgers, though, will now switch his attention to preparing his players for the friendly against Sporting Lisbon in The Algarve tomorrow night.
And the team return to Glasgow for Saturday afternoon’s visit of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to Parkhead.
