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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SERVCO
the gift that keeps giving ! X
If Sevco standard are getting info from tims I think it’s time the bampots sent them on a wild goose chase :)
Not long in.
Just signed the petition for the contents of the infamous 5 way agreement to be published.
It is important!
Listened to John brown on the podcast and
must agree with how an early poster put it.”like pulling a pin out of a grenade”…it absolutely is.
So much was said…he seems to be the only
one with courage in his convictions..
Now twitter world is in melt down with it all…all those connected with the.sfa must be very, very w worried…to say the least.
Those same feelings i had last year are coming back…like something is going to send this nuclear.
It’s a Cinch that Celtic DINNAE want Hoops tae Leave.
Not so sure aboot.. Victor,though.
Victor,ye see..in spite of whit many oan here believe..
Kin Be Replaced..
Not easily, Ah hasten tae add.. but..
Victor, in NOT IRREPLACABLE..
Ah know that they say that..”Naebuddy is Irreplacable”..
Howevahhhhhh..
In Ma Opinion….which Ah like tae believe..is Shared by Neil…
is that…
Hoops is..well.. Irreplaceable!
Dae ye know how difficult it wid be tae find such a.. P.P. .. such as we hiv in Hoops, by Celtic…fur the Money that we kin Afford?
Ah wid say the Chances of us…Finding anither Hoops- Like .
PROLIFIC POACHER.. tae replace the One we hiv..
as…. somewhere, between…
Nil and Zip!
It ,therefore, wull no surprise me..if
Neil, persuades.. Pierre et Al.. tae tak an Euphemistic Sledge-Hammer tae the Existing Salary Cap.. which is in force ,at Parkheid by the Clyde,at this time..
and
And Smash it tae Smithereens..
In order, tae Satisfy the Monetary Demands of Gary and his Reps.
Maks sense tae Me.
Kojo
still.. Laughin’
The Big Hoose must stay open!
Ahhh the memories…
Oh how the English with be seething …
Billions of pounds
Yet their league is still not the best in the world !!
GERMAN football is the new standard
SFA take notice …
Cheap tickets
Safe standing areas
Beer served in plastic cups
Good night all
and thank you for being here
SFTB haste ye back
http://www.therangersstandard.co.uk/index.php/articles/current-affairs/250-exclusive-ibrox-leak
Incredible stuff
pauloantony
22:58 on 24 April, 2013
&&&&&&&
You had me until …’beer in plastic cups’ :-)
Re- the player of the year nominations, interesting that 4 of the 7 nominees helped their clubs to bottom 6 places. Of the 7 nominees how many would strengthen our first team?
Griffiths or higdon in place of Hooper – naw
Shinnie for Commons – naw
McGinn for Stokes mibbes naw.
MacKay-steven mibbes aye if Forrest is injured
Armstrong – naw
Kojo
Hoops to mid table Prem club £5m
Johhny Russell to celtic £1m
£4m profit and an able replacement
Ohhhhh and over in deluded hunland chaosfc media the PARANOIA is eating them up slowly and sytematically :))
happydayscsc
Re Player of the year awards again. Would Hoops, Vic, Broonie, Kelvin and Fraser not have a shout. Maybe the guys have been hamstrung by their not being an obvious candidate where the other guys were probably clearly their clubs top men?
Vic came from the Belgian league, there are better players plying their trade there just now.
Better strikers than Hooper, better mids than Vic.
And far better defenders than we have on the books.
They can be had for relativly very little money than elsewhere.
Hopefully JP has spent a few months in Spain, bargins galore to be had in the lower league/s, which are miles better than the spl.
If Lenny is serious about defenders, Argentina, goals there are at a premium, quality strikers, but defenders rule the roost.
You know how everyone seems to be saying “Sevco the gift that keeps on giving”, does this mean they qualify for giftaid or is that only available to Taxpayers?
My my. I’m so happy I was brought up a Celtic fan – imagine supporting Rangers (RIP) and the new tribute act !!
Craigellachie,
Gary mackay Steven would be a great asset to our squad, particularly as we are likely to loose 2/3 players whom the clubs seems relaxed about leaving , and probably one or two we don’t want to go.
Bottom line is we need numbers, and preferably guys who can make an impact, rather than jersey fillers.
I thought GMS was excellent in the cup semi and created chaos in our defence …as did Ambrose, but that’s another story.
From RFCSwitcheroo via twitter.
Laughing at John Gow & Tinfoil heid’s great exclusive. ‘Lets not talk about Bomber’. #McCoistKnew #WalterKnew Shhhsh! #SallysShares
Techy help required-When you connect a laptop to a projector,embdae know how to “pair” the remote control? It’s an Epson Projector.Ta
the exiled tim 23:15 on 24 April, 2013
Problem with Argentina is getting clearance.
NottheBus
Canny Find Fault with your.. Supposition,pal.
Russell, whom Ah happen tae Admire, is a Fine wee Player.
It may turn oot as you Suppose..
Ah jist happen tae be submitting a Different Supposition, than You ur,pal.
Ah look forward tae the final Denouement.. with..
A Big Bottle o’ Worcester Sauce.. Handy.
That’s Enufff,, Relish.. Ah wud think??
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
From GaryBhoy78.
@ourbrian @WheresTheBaw @ChrisGraham76 @RangersStandard hope the cardboard Krays get control http://t.co/qVEj25KQSt
Chicos, por favor, can someone give me a quick summary of today’s developments? I am 5 hrs behind you now so end up trawling through hours worth of tweets to work out what’s happening.
Saw Paul B’s tweet about can we survive 45 mins with no breaking news, saw mention of reports of report for Serious Fraud. Anything else?
Going to start reading this blog from the start now.
‘GG
I think we are allowed two a season, more if they have the required caps.
I watch a lot of football from there, and they can defend, only my humble opinion.
Quality for little money, Izzy, 600k, no the same after his injury, but that is the standard for that sort of money, tis a no brainer imo.
•-:¦:-•** -:¦:- sparkleghirl :¦:-.•**• -:¦:-•
23:25 on 24 April, 2013
——
Sevco nnn and Sevco nnnn are in deep doo doo
Dortmund cuffed Madrid.
Bomber Brown revealed all on Radio Scotland.
Wattie knew. Allie knew. Jabba knew. CQN knew. He’ll everybody knew.
VW is staying in the garage for now.
TET
Ola amigo, just back from Vinaros, my liver is making his own way home tomorrow.
Hope you and the Mrs are well x
Kikinthenakas
TET
I agree but we are buying young and that implies they have few if any caps.
You can bet your sweet bippy the SFA will not be bending over to help us.
So the big question is, why did bommer spill a few beans tonight ???
Who will benefit ?
From isnibs1 via twitter.
Youz buy the pwies and youz buy the bov wills :)
john bomber brown: http://t.co/NPKD5asVp9 via @youtube #ALLYKNEW U were warned zombies. Roon yees
Rangers Media saying zero user info passed to Rangers Standard. Hope they have more proof than just guesswork or that could get messy.
That Jedward guy from Dortmund quite a player if a wee bit divey. #reusisjedward
Just reading back and don’t know if it’s been mentioned but I remember after his pie and deeds speech at their front door,Paul67 told us not to underestimate John Brown. Wise words.
HH.
kikinthenakas
Nothing new there then mi amigo >}
Aye, we are good, spring is here now, hotter by the day, pool is still cold enough, but have braved it a few times, it just looks so inviting.
………………………
GG
Aye, I know what you are saying.
JP is doing a good job, a diamond here and there is what’s required.
he has done well the past couple of years, that will transfer into money for the club, he will find a few more no doubts.
Spain is well worth a look see, as is Belgium, quality for little or no money, and no worries about a licence.
HH
GG thank you :)
Livescore is good at keeping me up to date with the CL goings on, but can’t give me the lates on Sevco.
What did BB reveal? Is it worth looking for the webcast? Oh my it’s even better than last year.
Via twitter.
Mind when John “Bomber” Brown played for that stadium?
http://t.co/atBluCIwnK
lol lol lol
He said tonight on radio Scotland I can name 4 players I brought through ranks to play for Scotland, he names 6 lol
Gotta Skate, Mate.
Kojo
Still…Laughin’
Sevco descending into chaos.
The genie’s out the bottle, and he aints for going back.
Where’s the 20m Charlie?
Where’s the deeds Craigie?
What’s that ally? Walter? Anybody?
Who’s buying a season book?
Who’s selling them?
Gangsters, polis, lawyers.
Has mr ogilvie & co got a cunning plan? Or maybe they’re filling their kecks?
Time for baw,baws.
iamrangers = imran