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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squire danaher 19:24 on 24 April, 2013
Love the story about the budgie
Played there for the old Outside Inn in Glasgow Darts Association…….
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squire danaher, I worked in the Outside Inn. Thats where I developed my love of the amber nectar and the current Mrs ACGR.
A top notch establishment it was too.
Publish the five way agreement petition signed.
Wonder how Bomber’s revelation’s are going
down on hunmedia……..would check myself
but I’m sensitive.
Bourne understood.
I think I’m going through a negative phase just now and I’ll be fine when the champers, jelly and ice cream are back on the diet (thumbs up).
V
DR………………………………’Celtic set to charge supporters 100 pounds, for a pie and bovril from next season’.
The thing I’m finding most enjoyable about this whole farce is that Ally and Walter are right up to their necks in it.
Vincenzo
Hail Hail
You probably all read that statement but maybe a few late comers have’nt.
offski again :¬)
Favourite Uncle
I mind there was a Vincent as well. Paddy ( Patricia) was in my sisters class and Marie in mine. Kevin used to right to the View a lot.
I have been away from the Briggs a long time ( three miles away from where I live now right enough) but some great folk. There were at least two lots of Reillys as well.
Jimbo
Was it you who was talking about the Fords the other night? Was Their mammy a teacher?
Dortmund fans giving it walk on…that’ll do for me.
Did bomber say he told Sally what was going on ?.
wonder how that will go down in the land of the hard of thinking ,maybe CGs parting gift will be a taxi for sally .
Vmhan –
was on household and garden chores since mid afternoon so hadn’t seen that, thank you. And how ‘official’ is this news about Victor?
Bummer said Media House choked all the hun info,shockeroonie…
jimbo67 .it was one of the fordes who named himself.said he went to college with paul.where abouts in balornock did you live .i’m their fav unle thats why the nome de blog.
So the bomber was right all along, not only that but he told Jabba Ally and Walter and between them they did hee haw, one thing still does not sit right though, with the greatest respect to the bomber he’s more MFI than IMF so where did he get the inside info?
Can you get a train from Glasgow Central to Braehead?
BB
Naw
unle=uncle.grandkids been eating sweeties .stikky fingers.
ACGR
When did you work in the Outside Inn??
I drank there from 1983 onwards, the pub was shut for a year from say 1984-85, we decanted to Reid’s & the Exchequer.
I kinda faded away towards the end of the 80s, I was back in education from 1987, got married in 1990 and the darts fizzled out from there.
corkcelt
18:03 on 24 April, 2013
The Pub we watched it in was The Cunard in La Carhuela its owned by a Tim called Robert, there was complimentary Champagne for all at the final whistle.
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I’m claiming some of that next time I’m down there (Sept). To be fair he also supplied our Hogmanay champers. :)
I often wonder why the name of the Greatest Ever Ranger is never invoked, as they grasp for ” real Rangers men” to come to the aid of the party.
He was a ned on the park and a NED in the boardroom.
Is he conflicted during the Whyte Dynasty?
bsr,
Is that the STs that we had to reduce in price because of Armageddon?
!!Bada Bing!!
19:40 on
24 April, 2013
***************
Naw, but you can get a bus from Buchannan street amigo.
Jobo yir welcome friend.
V
Just dropped in to say….
Did Bomber no say that it was ‘disgusting’ what Neil had to go through when all the bombs n bullets were being sent ?
Bomber is a REAL Ranjurs-Man imo.
Not a charlatan like – TFPLG n The Cardihun. imo.
As for Tom English…yet another pathetic example of how the MSM are full of wall-flowers since – Gerry McNee hung up his pen. imo.
HH
Off oot.
Bomber appears to be auditioning for the manager ‘s job in the new squeakily cleansed The Sevco.
Bada Bing
Nae but u can get wan Borheid! Or Barrhead for the more refined amongst us!
Willie Maley died more than 55 years ago.
By his own admission, our resident Snow Bunny Hunter was dispatched to Glasgow only after he had left full time education.
… & here was me,thinking I was the most geriatric old codger on CQN.
There must be a few Snow Bunnies out there, who are not as agile as one might have guessed.
:¬)))
Favourite Uncle
Campsie Street. Was 1 when I left.
Do you know a bloke called Tom Dougan? Still stays there?
Jimbo
Thiz is some hospital
Sausages and everything. Cmon Dortmund
Wonderful Wednesday just keeps on giving !
The tribute acts self professed saviour and BFDJ ALSO chuckles green has DUPED the minions once again and is ready to steal millions from the stupid stupid Zombie hoards!
Keevins the arse 99% of Celtic fans miss the deid club !!!!!
Sensationalist claptrap from a poor journo whose paper and job is in jeopardy !
Miss absolutely NOTHING about that disease of a club !
Harsh you say ask Sally he said they need CLEANSED
BB don’t think its McGills, if it is then can someone please delete my post :¬)
V
That would be Tae Borheid
Cant see it tbh. Fancy madrid will win
BB
McGills 23 bus does the trick
fergus slayed the blues 19:36 on 24 April, 2013
Did bomber say he told Sally what was going on ?.
wonder how that will go down in the land of the hard of thinking.
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Fergus, I’ve just had a look at hun media and it’s being completely dismissed, as is the worthington letter.
Heids are well and truly stuck up erchies over there. Smashing:-)
blantyretim
19:45 on
24 April, 2013
**************
You still in BT, how long for mate?
V
Thomthetim, he lives in Lenzie and is constantly out walking. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
The BBC SportSound podcast from tonight is now up !
http://t.co/HDqU6dzqJL
Out tomorrow v.