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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That is very very far form a good announcement for SevCo.
Somebody saying you lied to the stock market and we can prove it never ever ends well
RalphWaldoEllison fights ALS
Eh? That makes no sense. Has to be the same player surely?
LB
LiviBhoy,
I’ve know idea how he got in. He kept the ticket (or what remained of it) and showed it to me when we met afterwards. It did indeed resemble a used hankie as he previously had described to me on the mobile.
He was one lucky bhoy.
Your mate’s a clever cookie! :-)
Uncle Fester
Felt a bit stupid for the first day but after 5 days using it I would swear by a money belt. Great way to keep your cash safe abroad.
LB
Yogihughes
Fantastic memory to have- I was only 4 and wish I’d been able to understand why every adult I knew was as happy!
Ntasssoola
The key match in modern Celtic history though Cesar himself reckons that when we beat Der Huns six months later in the League CuP Final was of similar magnitude as it proved we’d arrived .
Hail! Hail! to both of you( and Cesar and Henrik as well)
Jimbo
Len Brennan
Pal… Ah am with ye oan everything that ye hiv writ.
We ..must.. but, we dinna… Gie mair of oor Yooful Farm Lads a Crack of the Peerie!
And when we dae bring wan o’ oor Likely Lads up tae the Big Leagues..
They only get a Cup of Ginger..in the First Team Cafetria… A Pat oan the Back.. and..
It ‘s right back tae Oblivion… wi’ them.
Look..at the wey…. Neil has bin Treatin’..
The Cannon Ball Kid?
Tony,is.. in the Opinion of Miny..is Oor BEST .. All Round Striker…bar None..
and yet???????
Ah canny figger oot Neil’s behavior ,in Ignoring this Young Prodigy..
Anyway.. Neil, noo has his Chance tae Show us whit We hiv goat oan the Hopper,coming thru..
Let’s Hope that He gies at least… mair than a Few of oor Young Hopefuls a shot at the Big Time.
Kojo
Still, Laughin
Bawsman, Thanks for posting.
Still remember that ball going in, in, as you say Paul67, oh so slow motion. What a feeling.
I remember feeling even more elated walking out of Anfield, after we had won. It was almost as good as walking out of Celtic Park after the Barca game this season. Sheer unadulterated joy. Seville somehow didn’t dent that.
Actually, I was thinking of walking out of the stadium in Seville just yesterday. There was a young Englishman there on his own, who bumped into me and just had to talk to someone. He lived in Suffolk or somewhere and had only seen Celtic 2 or 3 times and he was as fine a Tim as I’ve ever met. But he reckoned that he was a jinx because every game he had actually attended, we had lost. So, if he’s reading this, believe me I hope you’ve been back and seen your beloved team often. You are what makes Celtic special.
I tried to post the next bit earlier today but I think it got lost in cyberspace. Yesterday, my auld Dad and his brother-in-law, who have both been watching Celtic for more than 80 years, were discussing who was the best player they have seen who has worn the Hoops. While they both agreed that there were different players in different generations, they both felt that Malky MacDonald was the best. Others who got more than honourable mention were Charles Patrick Tully, Bobby Murdoch and wee Bertie (the best double act ever), Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson. Well, Malky MacDonald must have been some player is all I was able to contribute to the discussion.
No Pasaran @NCCMick6m
Chuckles & Ahmad have been reported to the Serious Fraud Squad . offffffftttttttt
Michael Vaughan@MichaelVaughan2m
“@MarioBaloltelli: Suarez banned for 10 games. The poor guy could starve to death.” Lol
The Token Tim 15:42 on 24 April, 2013
As I said this morning, I have no problem with players from other teams gaining recognition – but I am surprised Kris Commons didn’t make the short-list.
The Players Player Awards are usually a fair reflection – fellow pros who appreciate what individuals are doing on the pitch, rather than the ‘award’ from clueless sports hacks.
I don’t think Celtic have too much cause for complaint though as our players have won the PFA Award it in eight of the last 10 seasons.
I think I watched it from behind the back of the sofa. And then under it for the last ten minutes
Livibhoy. In the SPL KC has been the class act for me.
In Europe Sammy has been the class act, and without his goals the win against Barca would not have been the highlight of the season for so many, me included.
Weird logic I know but I wanted them both to get a podium.
PodiumChasers CSC
HH
By the time Suarez completes his ban Sevco will be a new club.
O.G.Rafferty 16:54 on 24 April, 2013
Are you still expecting certain events to unfold this week?
O.G.Rafferty
Was the Worthingrton statement anything to do with your news ???
The Exiled Tim
Yes, that is an interesting snippet from the Worthington press release.
Imran can maybe just blame his maw again, but Charles Green must be ruing the day he first never met Craig Whyte.
Can’t believe Wanyama not in the running for PFA player of the year. No Celtic players.
Is that unheard of? Not one player from the top team nominated?
Parkheadcumsalford
no mcgrory mention ?
to be fair, McGrory himself said that Malky was the best ever.
RalphWaldoEllison fights ALS
Fair points. I still think Wanyama should be in there. He will go for around £10m this summer.
LB
Celtic_First
At least the SFO are now involved, maybe sometime soon, proper jurnos will get involved, and you never know where that might lead.
All in all, good news I reckon.
HH
Playah of the Year?
Chuckles Green
Googles Whyte
T*ts McGill
U
and all the while the SFA sit back and do nothing…
THE EXILED TIM 16:39 on 24 April, 2013
Do you have a link to that please?
I’d like to pass it on to someone. I had a look on the Worthington Group website and couldn’t find it.
THE EXILED TIM
17:00
Agreed.
corkcelt
16:40 on 24 April, 2013
BT is the Old Tim who brought the port to the dinner before the Juventus game OldTim67 or are there 2 different Old Tims. Only asking cos I met up with a lovely Glasgow couple last Sunday watching the Title clincher in a pub in Spain. The man in question loves CQN but doesn’t post himself. He obviously knows ye well and asked me in particular to send greetings to OldTim & HamiltonTim on his behalf. So to both of the above mentioned a big Hail Hail from Barry Quinn.
corkcelt.
I’m guilty as charged,I hope you enjoyed the glass of port.
For the life of me I can’t remember a Barry Quinn,I may know his posting name though.
obonfanti
If I may, I’d like to offer the Campbell Ogilvie defence number six.
For all the SFA know, lots of clubs’ chief executives may be subject to investigation by the SFO. It’s just impossible for the association to know. Therefore, for the good of the game, it will be best to assume that there is nothing untoward going on at Sevco. Nothing at all.
Jimbo67,
The 65 Final is was and always will be for me the most important game in my time watching Celtic. It was the start of everything. I, with thousands of others left Hampden for the Central Hotel, just to catch a glimpse of the team and the Cup. Great, great day.
oldtim, he is a brother of Brian Quinn former Chairman.
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11561457
TET
You have email.
H!H!
Steinreignedsupreme
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11561457
But isnt the likeable rogue Charlie Green a mixture of Barnum and Del Boy trotter?
Thats what I read in my daily newspaper!
Was in Failte that night as well. Amazing atmosphere, health and safety went out the window, attendance more than at some lower league grounds,folk up on the bar and all sorts
So just a normal Thursday night really;)
HH
Stumptownbhoy,regarding your post about San Francisco CSC,think you are getting venues slightly confused,fiddlers green in millbrae is where we show the matches,the scottish owned bar is in belmont,recently changed names from Ausiellos,to McGraws bar and grill,I am pretty certain about this as I am the Mcgraw in question.I sincerely hope the new arrival contacts me at his earliest convenience,that way he can join us for cup final pool party in San Jose,very glad you had such a good time at our wee club,always great to welcome visiting tims,HAIL HAIL.
Parkheadcumsalford
No Wee Jimmy? My dad’s first hero was Jimmy Delaney but he always rated Malky MacDonald as well
Jimbo
Saint Stivs,
I think Jimmy McCrory might have been just before their time. My Dad grew up with his niece, who lived in flat above them in Springfield Road.
Looks like Craig Whyte has played a blinder again.