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.
[calameo code=000390171e93e6000b08d lang=en page=1 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,082 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- ...
- 29
- »
Really enjoying the Boavista memories lads
Bit puzzled at this though….
16 roads – neil lennon walks on water.
14:25 on 24 April, 2013
Tony Stokes will be the main mhan next season,the top Bhoy.Spends all his spare time in west Belfast,is a proper Celtic gentleman.I dare say he loves Dublin & Glasgow,but he calls this place home now for some reason.Stokesy is safe and sound in these parts,probably like a king.He now appreciates & realises how lucky he is to wear the green & white.
I am really sorry but Anthony Stokes is the answer then somebody is asking the wrong question.
The Barca Mole,
no worries totally understand re Manila though.
mental place.
If im ever south i’ll let you know.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Cadizzy is foreign……………haha
Will tell T you were asking for her, and yes he’s still el presidenteb but we refuse to kiss his ring………….
Bma
LiviBhoy
15:39 on 24 April, 2013
“cadizzy
I should have been clear it’s the players version that the short list is for. I expect Adams to get the football writers MoTY.
If anyone outside Paradise gets it then it should be Danny Lennon for winning a trophy!”
You were perfectly clear. I was just letting my mind wander to associated matters.
I agree about Danny Lennon…..on the basis that he will have no competition from Pat Fenlon!
10 game ban for ratface ! Defo got off lightly especially after trying to dictate his own punishment !
Blues will pump that red keech on 5th may with or without that cannibal !!
Goal Celtic, goal Celtic, goal Celtic, goal Celtic, goal Celtic.
92 minutes. James Keatings scores.
Celtic Football Club @celticfc 46s
90+2. GOAL!!!! Injury time opener from James Keatings!!! 1-0
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More
James Keating scores 92nd mimute
LiviBhoy
Pal. .. As you Rightly, point oot…
Which Ah Hate!
Higdon is Soitenly NO CELTIC CLASS..
Howevahhhhhhh..
How Miny Players dae we Hiv oan the Books..the Noo..
WHO..
ARE…NO… Celtic Class.. eethur?
Ah wid Answer that .. wi’ saying..
‘
“Mair ,Than Ah wid Like tae say.”
Anyway..
Ah really believe the Higdon wull get the Nod fur the Professional Player of the Year Award..
The Young Player?
My Guess wid be .. Leigh. Pronounced.. Lee?… Griffiths…Pronounced.. Griffin?
Kojo
All over in Inbhir Nis and Celtic are the U20 champions.
Well done, Bhoys.
twistsnturns
“In Spain, we’d been on the sauce in Cadiz”
Me too…on far too many occasions
An injury time goal from James Keatings gives Celtic U-20’s a 1-0 win at ICT and makes them Champions.
Well done the young Bhoys!!!!!
HH
/Bishop B
Well done the Under 20’S, Hail Hail The Champions.
Go on The Wishy Bhoy
Woooohooooo,
the winner frae a Wishy Bhoy!
C-1st, thanks for the updates!
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E
14:06 on
24 April, 2013
Sorry never had chance to converse yesterday
I was to the right of Siobhan McMahon MSP when she was answering questions in the committee room
It certainly was an interesting experience as Labour seek to capitalise on SNP’S clear discomfort as this OB bill unravels.
FAC made their point well and powerfully none more so than the articulate and intelligent way in which the lad who had his door battered at 6AM by strathclyde’s finest for allegedly swearing! at a football match did, it was very compelling testimony
big swee.
It was me.
79Caps
See that ye hiv recommended..
Wan of Ma Fair -Haired Bhoys.. fur . Celtic Player of the Year.
Ah Agree Whole- Heartedly, wit ye..oan that,Pal..
Wilson, is a Rock.
But, He is like Jesus.. in this Respect…
Fur… He wisnae Appreciated by his Ain Folk..eethur.
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
cadizzy
The awards are before the cup final anyway but I will say something for Fenlon. He will never have to buy a drink in Leith or in other green areas of Edinburgh ever again if he can win that final.
I think Celtic will win easilly on the day. I watched them the other night and they really are poor. Lenny just has to make sure the players are up for it.
LB
ch\mpioneeeees….
BT, how are ye?
twisty
you meeting those maddies on Saturday in town?
BMA
cheers buddy… home tomorrow …
Afternoon all
A friend has just texted me to remind me that today is the 48th Anniversary of a date of arguably as great significance in Celtic History- the 1965 Scottish Cup Final
Jimbo
theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E
14:06 on
24 April, 2013
Sorry we did have a chat remember now yes you spoke well
Took a photo of you and your pals in blue LOL before we got on bus yesterday
Next time i will say defo say hello
getting there Cadizzy..
as I have said it’s only a minor op compared to what miki and others are going through on the site..
Maybe we could see a couple of the young champions getting a few minutes on the park now.
Come on Lenny this would be amazing for the young bhoys!!
Feeling Double Champion now!!
HH
/Bishop B
jimbo
so it is, my brother was born the next day..
jimbo67
16:02
Excellent. Some time in the 1970s I found a Sunday Express that my dad must have bought the day after that cup final in our loft. Nothing about Lisbon, nor about any other Celtic game. But he kept that one.
James Forrest @ 14.50,
if anyone had any doubt’s all of scotish football is corrupt, not one single motion has been called for from any club for a removal of any sfa personel [campbell ogilvie] this silence is
being complicit in all that has went on why?
Racist remarks 8 game ban
Biting 10 game ban
Not sure the priorities are right here.
livibhoy
15:57 on 24 April, 2013
FWIW I agree with you but I recall Mr Stein got into bother after watching a fairly error-strewn end of season affair between Feyenoord and Ajax in April 1970 and arriving at a similar conclusion then
If NL has our men at the level of motivation necessary to beat a team anxious to wipe out last years humiliation and to assume the status as legends, we will win.
BT
Not a bad weekend for the original holy goalie, all told then.
C1st
indeed.. he had to leave the party early though… o))
For the avoidance of doubt, following my terrible post of 16.06, and before the syntax squad get me, the Sunday Express was in our loft. My dad didn’t buy the paper in our loft, but at the paper shop. The game wasn’t played in our loft, but at Hampden Park.
We’d never have fitted the 108,000 into our loft.
lionroars67
Yes my pals in blue………………think I’m going to the staff dance
squire danaher
Good point. Griffiths is the only danger I can see but I didn’t think St Mirrren would be an issue. Thank god Lenny is the boss!
LB
Blantyre Tim, Celtic First
I’ve still got the Express from the day after Lisbon and somewhere the programme from the 65 Final- but that paper from 65 beats my souvenirs. And a brother being born the day after such a mOmentous results trumps my nephew being born in the wee small hours after a 7-1 win over St Mirren in 1984!
H x 2 to both of you
Jimbo