Boavista v Celtic, 24 April 2003, was one of the most frustrating games of football I’ve sat through. Needing to score, for 78 minutes Celtic were moribund; they made not a single attempt on goal. Instead, they did what most teams do away from home, condensed midfield and defended, while Boavista, who would qualify for the Uefa Cup final if the game ended goalless, did much the same.
The goal appeared to take place in slow motion. Henrik Larsson moved forward to the end of the D and tried to pass to John Hartson, but a defender intercepted. Unfortunately for Boavista the ball was returned from the interception to an unmarked Larsson on the edge of the box.
It spun from his preferred right foot onto his left but the shot gently arced inches away from the goalkeeper’s grasp. The goal was a deflection, although we didn’t see it at the time. The keeper was moving his weight from right to left as the ball drifted to his left.
It may have been a turgid game of football decided by a deflection but it was also one of the most intense sporting occasions in our 125 year history. The sheer release of tension when the goal went in was incredible. 15 minutes, and one generous refereeing decision later, Celtic were in a European final.
Since then we have become accustomed to our position as a credible European team but it was very different in season 2002-03. This was the first Christmas Celtic were in Europe since 1979; each milestone along the way, Blackburn Rovers (a far more credible team at the time), Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Liverpool, was celebrated with something close to astonishment.
The triumphs of this season, qualifying for the Champions League group stage instead of losing to Basel, then progressing to the knock out rounds, are greater than the achievements of April 2003, but they will never feel that way. That game, that season, trophy-less though it was, changed our entire landscape. Nothing would ever be the same again.
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No Celts in PFA Player of the year nominations?
Well there ye go. Standards must be dropping somewhere.
Big Vic sticking and Craigy Boy twisting!
Bada Bing. You are reading my mind tonight however,if he signs a new extended contract it should increase any transfer fee that we get. If we have to sell? I would love to keep big Victor and move Hooper on for decent money. H.H.
Serious Fraud Office.
The gift that keeps on giving…
Thanks, Joe…..HH
alex thomson@alextomo41m
And to all those asking yes, I am in touch with the SFA about the apparent Whyte involvement with the registration of the club after his ban
Auldheid@Auldheid28m
@alextomo But,but on matters of integrity SFA have no power over leagues by their own admission. Does that not extend to clubs/companies too?
Auldheid@Auldheid24m
@alextomo or are SFA as useful as a chocolate fireguard when protecting and governing Scottish football? The full time whistle has blown.
dear oh dear shortbread bad slip up there
Kojo
Jimmy McGrory?
Or as Alan Morton said of the Mighty Atom
‘he was the greatest B—— who ever kicked a baw’
Hail! Hail!
Jimbo
auldheid
18:06 on 24 April, 2013
I’d better not comment on THAT one……….
PFA Player of Year
They were nominated by their fellow professionals, whose votes will decide who succeeds Celtic’s Charlie Mulgrew.
On-loan Wolves frontman Griffiths has scored 25 goals during his temporary Easter Road switch this season, with his double over Falkirk earlier this month helping to fire the Leith outfit to the Scottish Cup final for the second season running.
Fir Park striker Higdon, meanwhile, is the SPL’s top marksman overall with 24 top-flight strikes and 25 overall, helping propel the Steelmen up to second in the SPL standings.
And McGinn has also enjoyed a breakout season since former Pittodrie boss Craig brown converted him from winger to deadly poacher following his switch from Brentford in the summer, bagging 19 goals for the Reds in the process.
Inverness playmaker Shinnie has also had a season to remember, earning himself a summer move to Birmingham with a series of influential displays for the Highlanders and a career-high tally of 15 goals so far.
In the Young Player of the Year category, Victor Wanyama is SPL champions Celtic’s only award nominee.
He will face competition from Griffiths – who will hope to emulate former Hoops players Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady by winning both the senior and young player prize in the same year – as well as Dundee United pair Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.
So no place for Vic in the senior list or no other Celtic players.
No surprise
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective.
My.
Ah luv. everything that Ann writes..
She is a real Doozie..Pie.
The Terrible Twins..
Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham…
Wan is a Convert ..and the Ither’s Faither wiz a Pape.
Guess which Wan wiz whit.
Two gals ..alang wi.. Phyllis Schlafly.. anither Pape,by the way..
Who Ring Ma Bell.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Hmmm….Victor Saying That He Wants Tae Stay At The Field Of Dreams….
For The Immediate Present…..
Good..! As He Will Still Probably Leave This Summer…..
But The Buyers Will Hiv Tae Come Up Wi’ A Bigger Fee….
To Prise Him Away Fae His ‘Beloved Celtic”
If ,Oan The Ither Hand,He Does Stay…
Red Letter Day….Win-Win…
winning captains @18:01 as you posted my wikipedia page was set to Willie Wallace.
Prompted by the earlier discussions about SPL strikers not being Celtic material.
Just a hunch, But Bomber is on BBC Radio skoosh against Tom English, been on for 2 mins and its heated, no chance it going to last the show. OOOFT>
KLV
JAMES Keatings´ injury time free-kick
sealed a 1-0 victory against Inverness
Caledonian Thistle to crown Celtic the SPL
Under-20 champions in dramatic style.
The title triumph comes just four days
after Neil Lennon´s senior side won their
second title in a row.
The young Hoops battled hard against a
strong Inverness side and their hard work
paid off in the closing seconds thanks to
a curling effort from the young striker,
which means Celtic´s youth side have
now won four league titles in a row.
John Kennedy and Stevie Frail named a
strong side for the visit to the Highlands,
with Jackson Irvine, Callum McGregor
and Keatings getting a run-out alongside
first-team squad players Viktor Noring
and Thomas Rogne.
But it was Bahrudin Atajic who created
Celtic´s first good chance in front of goal
after 12 minutes. The striker fired the ball
across the face of goal but Jamie Lindsay
couldn’t break through the Caley defence
and make contact.
Inverness tried to capitalise on some
slack defending on 23 minutes, but they
took the shot early and the ball deflected
off Rogne for a corner which was
eventually cleared.
Keatings did well to shrug off his marker
and get down to the byline just after the
half-hour mark, but the keeper got his
fingertips to the cross into the box and it
was cleared before Atajic could meet it.
The home side had fielded a strong
starting XI and they were making it
difficult for the Hoops to break them
down. The remainder of the first-half was
played out with little action in front of
goal, with neither side able to make the
breakthrough.
Celtic looked better in attack at the start
of the second-half, but they still weren’t
able to find the net. Atajic failed to latch
on to Keatings cross, before John Herron
´s back-heel and Irvine´s long-range
drive were both blocked. And at the
opposite end Noring showed great
reactions to deny Thistle the lead. He got
down low on the 18-yard line to push the
ball clear.
Paul George replaced Herron shortly after
the hour mark and he looked energetic on
his arrival. Celtic continued to push deeper
into Inverness´ half, desperate for a goal.
McGregor attempted a long-range effort
which dipped just over the bar before a
well-timed Keatings run saw him play in
Atajic. The striker, though, clashed with
the defender on the line and the chance
went astray.
Irvine attempted another long-range
drive, but there wasn’t enough on the shot
to trouble the Inverness keeper.
But Celtic´s hard work finally paid off in
the closing stages as the game entered
injury-time. The Hoops lined up a free-
kick, and with their last chance of the
match, Keatings curled home the winner
in style.
The 1-0 victory clinches Celtic´s fourth
consecutive league title ahead of the SFA
Youth Cup final against Dunfermline
Athletic at Hampden next Wednesday,
May 1.
CELTIC (4-4-2): Noring; Fisher, Findlay,
Rogne (O´Connell 62), Miller; Lindsay,
Irvine, McGregor(P. Twardzik 86); Herron
(George 65), Atajic, Keatings
Subs not used: Hart, McNally
English and Brown head-to-head. Could get interesting!
Jimbo67
Nice Quote.. Pal..
Ah wull hiv tae remember that yin.
Although the Best Player..
Whom Ah HIvnae SEEN IN THE FLESH..
Must be.
Henrik Larsson.
Yep.. No Ifs And or Butts..
Henrik Is a Brammer.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
!!bada bing!!
18:01 on 24 April, 2013
THAT’s WONDERFUL NEWS…….!!!!!!!!
Greenpinata 17.52
I can remember Tommy Burns being applauded by the Madridista’s for a bit of skill on the left hand side.
We also had a goal chalked off in the 1st leg at CP.
On the ferry to Calais i remember Joe Sullivan who ran the Phil Cole CSC wearing a T-shirt.
DOYLE
DESTROYS
DIEGO’S
I travelled with the Pollock CSC, it picked up 20 Fifers in Lochgelly.
It was run by Jim McGarrity and Eddie Devine.
TT
johnnyquest .i read your post months ago about AUCHINAIRN bus.MOONEY MCGRAW MCCLURE.you must be from auchinairn not balornock as you went to ST NINIANS in KIRKIE.I went on that bus when i was young boy with brian mooney bobby gemmel john waugh.names ring any bells.??
The biggest factor in the transfer market right now is countries raising tax rates to a mighty 75%.
My big Rangers supporting pal is spitting bolts about the latest crackdown on tax dodgers in Switzerland. The cheek of them. A state built on that very concept.
And the cheek of him. A Rangers supporter.
BBC Scotland…………………..’forget’ to mention Charles Green Stock Exchange announcement
Favourite Uncle what year and from which pub?
Thjere could be punches thrown on RS
An extended family member of mine is a taxi-driver in Motherwell.
……Day after the victory over Barcelona at Celtic Park.
Fare from Fir Park.
4 M’well players off to Hamilton.
Sociable driver engages them in conversation.
‘Great result for Celtic last night’.
Michael Higdon,……..’ F*** Celtic’.
End of conversation.
Yes, I hope he gets the ‘player of the year’ award.
Like HELL, I do.
It’s a battle of wits on Shortbread and the one that used to kick for Rangers is unarmed…
Sevco share price ‘rallied’ to 58p by the close. lol!
Kojo
I saw Jinky and I’d give him the nod over the KoK. But as I must have seen a couple of hundred of Henke’s goals in the flesh no player can have given me more pleasure than any other. Is that ok for an if and a but?
Jimbo
So pleased Wanyama is staying. Feel like a total wally, as I have been on here before complaining he was set to leave and we are going downhill etc. Apologies to those of you who read my whinging tosh. Better stop listening to super scoreboard.
Kojo…..
Our MSM Are Now Regularly Referring To The Boston Jihadists….
As ‘The Boys’….!!!!
Jings..! Crivven..! Help M’Bhoab..!
They’ll Be Callin’ Them The Chechen ‘Butch & Sundance’……Next..
On The Ither Haund….
Ah’ve Never Seen Folk Mair Angry Oan Fox TV…..
Than Hiz Been The Case Over The Past Few Days….
Commentators/AnchorMen/Politicians…
All Absolutely Beelin’…!
An’ Tellin’ It Like It Is…..
Ah Soitenly Hope That Nane Of Them Post On The CQN
Or The ‘Low Info’ ShoutyBoys…….
Wull Be Callin Fur Thur Heids…
Gotta Go Joe….
Oh…Laura Ingraham Is The Convert….
(Most Of The Fox Commentators And Anchorpersons Are Catholic….
Dontcha Know..?)
bomber is bombing here.
The story about the police allegedly employing a handwriting expert keeps floating around. I remember one of the alleged details as being that a certain alleged signature on a piece of paper was allegedly confirmed to be made in Yorkshire.
Now whether that related to something Green allegedly signed but now claims he didn’t, or something that he might have allegedly signed “on behalf of” someone else …
(Note – these are all allegations. Have I covered myself against any legal action??)
Jimbo67
Na..if wizna Gentle Jimmy..
It wiz anither…
Manager, who watched Patsy, in his every game, which he played fur Celtic.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
Serious Fraud Office – allegedly
Ooooooffffftttttt CSC
Ntassoolla .no pub it left from MCGRAW’S house AUCH RD.LATE 50S EARLY 60S.those were the days.
Gordon_J backing @18:27 cautions ” …Note – these are all allegations. Have I covered myself against any legal action??)”
GJ a good reputation damaged is the basis for legal action and Charlie kissed goodbye to that many moons ago.
My dear,dear,dear,friend.. The Singing Detective.
Of Course Ah know… isnae.. Rupert .. a Knight of Malta?
Opus Dei… God’s Business.. is oan the Joab.
We wull tae care of the Radical Muslims.. awe right.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
getting the impression that Tom English is crapping his panties lol