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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Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
Who,s going to be the next l.n.s to ride to there aid .
hen1rik
08:09 on 25 April, 2013
I’ll take yr word on that one m8…. They are still in full denial mode re the validity of Our Hero’s claims tho.
and so it begins again.
craig mather
one of my parents was born and raised in scotland and took me to an old firm game,
iv’e loved sevco ever since
HH
dontbrattbakkinanger
09:46 on 25 April, 2013
Whither the cash strapped scrofulous hillbillies the day?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
luv this post…….hahahahahaha
it looks like the balance of power in European football is moving away from Spain and towards Germany.
THis is a good thing, as there is so much in German football to admire.
The danger is that Bayern come to dominate the way Man U have done in England; in the last 10 years 5 different teams have been Elfmeister and this level of competition is needed to keep the game healthy.
Haw!!!!!!
Livi!!!!!!!!
Ye cannae dae that!!!!!
Spill the beans!!!!!!!!!
DBB
“in the last 10 years 5 different teams have been Elfmeister”
Could you explain this piece of weird German?!
Germans doing well, zombie huns not so.
There’s got to be a joke in their somewhere.
Elfmeister means ‘best XI’ I think.
If I’m wrong about Elf no doubt our pet troll will be happy to point out my linguistic failings.
It’s very interesting that BFDJ was touting Martin Bain for the vacant CEO post at Asbestox the other night on SSB in a ‘nudge, nudge, wink, wink’ sort of way and then we find out through last night’s post on here that Imran Ahmed has been posting on Rangers Media and divulging inside info, part of which happens to be that Walter was pushing for the return of Martin Bain.
So we have Walter and Fat Sally trying to take over the club with the Uber Fat One acting as their press officer on SSB.
Gordon J – another joke.
Bayern have only 4 stars on their jersey.
Old Chinese proverb: “He who speaks through the side of his face talks much sense.”
I think Elfmeister is a bit of non-German. But it sounds authentic.
Elf=11
Meister=master
HH
Gerd Muller is unsurprisingly the top scorer in Bundesliga history.
His 365 goals works out at a Mcgrory-esque 0.85 goals per game.
BB was very honest last night and i also enjoyed it. Let’s see if he gets comdemned today by any buns. I doubt it he comes across as a no sh@t kind of man.
KLV
Sunday name is Deutscher Meister
Awe Naw
But does it mean Bundesliga champions?!
79caps – be gentle. I learned all my German from the ole Commando comics.
Auld Scottish Proverb –
“He who buys the pies, Sees the deeds”
Or as we say in Glasgow Championeeeeees!
DBB
Achtung! Achtung! Donner und Blitzen!
Hande Hoch Tommy…
Elfmeter is penalty.
German football has got more elfs than Middle Earth.
Can’t stop laughing @corsica1968 2m
Hearing (direct from Blue Knight) it’s civil war @ Ibrox. Cardigan & Fat Sally briefing furiously against DCK & CG camps to save themselves.
Will BBC sportsound Scotland give us liveupdates on civil war?
Dontbrattbakkinanger
10:17 on
25 April, 2013
79caps – be gentle. I learned all my German from the ole Commando comics
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
For you Tommy ze war ist over.
Don’t mention the war …
Achtung! Halt or ve vill shoot!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
From Tom English in the Scotsman
“Short of Hoopy the Huddlehound being declared as the real owner of the assets of Rangers it is surely not possible for this tortured saga to get any more farcical.”
Could this have been edited out from discussion on Shortbread with Bomber
Has anyone ever heard a real German person use the term “Schweinhund”?
I think we should be told.
Edgar Blamm @EdgarBlamm 33m
Rangers Media poster IamRangers (Imran Ahmad?) http://i.imgur.com/sYQ796y.jpg & http://i.imgur.com/tNF8YJg.jpg
Its so sad all this infighting…………………………………..Oh my aching sides
Terrific country, Germany.
Heinrich Böll, Ludwig Van, JS Bach, all the other Bachs, Telemann, Heimat …
Don’t tell him, Pike!
For you zombie ze war ist over
Celtic-First
it is indeed:
Paulaner, Warsteiner, Erdinger, Kolsch…….bratwurst, krakeur, currywurst, lederhosen……errm, hoooooops ignore that last one
;-)
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
For all you Jungle Jims
Ah so, The Token Tim, it seems your little secret is out …
http://www.boozingear.com/bavarian-beer-man-costume-green-lederhosen