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
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- ...
- 29
- »
notthebus 17:07 on 24 April, 2013
Thank you.
jimbo67,
Oh, the likes of Jinky was mentioned, of course. There were quite a few more but they were trying to decide who were the best of particular period. Personally, I would have Bobby Murdoch before wee Jinky too. Bobby is the best player I’ve seen.
Parkheadcumsalford
Just read your post re 65 final – Big Jock agreed , seemingly always had a picture of that team on his desk
Hail! Hail!
corkcelt said
“oldtim, he is a brother of Brian Quinn former Chairman”
Oldtim, you will know him from BB’s.
Parkheadcumsalford
Wee Jimmy might have agreed re Bobby M. And of course there’s the famous assessment of Celtic by Racing Club’s scout in 1967 “Celtic – 1 man, Murdoch
Fantastic player ( but wee Jimmy is still my favourite!)
Hail! Hail!
Jimbo
HH
3 words for CO & the SFA…
Fit and proper?
Ok , another 2…
Due diligence!
HH
Well done the wee Hoops. Champs !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting the LSE document. Interesting.
KLV
notthebus
17:08 on 24 April, 2013
Steinreignedsupreme
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11561457
#####
More subtle than a petrol bomb but probably more effective.
ole Lurgan 53 knew a lot about the ole garden; one of the many reasons his contributions on here are much missed.
Lhads, this is a huge development today.
Didn’t Phil post something about getting in a handwriting expert a week or two back?
My Dear Kojo….
Buenos Dias…..On This Balmy Afternoon
In DoonToon L.V….
Sunny Wi’ Clear Skies….T81 F.
Ah Totally Concur….Wi’ Yer Opinion Oan Michael Higdon….
Six-Feet Two,Big&Strong……
Wi’ Good Dash Of Mallum…Thrown In..
Will Always Be A Haundful…..
For Any Defense…..
Yep.$! Ah Thought Wee Should Hiv Signed Him….
Back In 2007-9……
When He Wiz Plyin’ His Trade At Falkirk…
He Has Maintained His Form Over The Seasons….Unlike John Sutton…..
And This Year….Is His Annus Mirabilis…
Though He Did Score Thirty Goals Over The Previous Two Seasons For The Mothers….
Type Of Guy Ye Need In The Squad…..
As An Option….Rather Than Foist Choice….
Much More Useful Than Murphy Or Bangura…..
Although He Does Turn Thirty This Summer….
Other Duds…Tommy Johnson,Guppy are Two Of The Most Recent That Cause Heartache….
By The Way,Seeing As Yer Keen On That Author,Cornwell..
Did Ye Ever See The Outstanding BBC Historical Drama Series
“I,Claudius”…..Set In Ancient Rome…..
Over The Period From The Reign Of Augustus Caesar…..To That Of Claudius
Who Took Possession Of Our Enchanted Sceptred Isles……?
Available On Video….In Twelve Hour Long Episodes…
Rightly Described As A Landmark Series
In Television History….
Highly Recommended…*****
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004U12X/ref=redir_mdp_mobile.
The Very Best Celtic Player o’ them Awe?
Peerless, Patsy Gallagher!
How dae Ah know?
It’s a Secret..so Ah’ll No Tell Ye!
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
ernie lynch 17:18 on 24 April, 2013
notthebus 17:08 on 24 April, 2013
Steinreignedsupreme
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=11561457
#####
“More subtle than a petrol bomb but probably more effective”
One man’s petrol bomb is another man’s Molotov cocktail.
johnnyquest
17:09 on 24 April, 2013
Yes, my memory let me down there. Thank you to you and your family for your hospitality at the time, I was new to the area and had just married a local lass.
Hope the new place is doing well. I may see you soon, as my wife and I are visiting friends in Menlo Park in the summer.
So Challs leaves Poundland last week and the Serious Fraud Office are after him this week? …..stroke of luck that eh?
Another strand of the Masonic Cabal,where’s Regan????
Surely the SFA are now duty bound to make a statement. We have an SFL club that has 2 current directors being investigated by the Serious Fraud squad around allegations surrounding the asset sale to that new club from an old one.
Anyone home at the SFA these days ? Any lights on ? Anywhere ?
ntassoola 13.57- Cheers, bud, your 10% is payable when I sell the shares :)
Could sell you some Rangers Intl plc if you prefer!!
10years ago tonight, i watched the match in Bull Inn Paisley, then spent the following afternoon in Craigdhu, Paisley securing 8 tickets for Seville. Didn’t get 1 from Celtic, although i did travel to Stuttgart with 67 Travel, and all who went to previous rounds were meant to get guarantee of ticket…still annoys me.
twists n turns
15:46 on 24 April, 2013
Like you, i was in Cadiz night before & after final, stayed in Hotel Monasterio, a cracker, free mini bar. The memories flooding back.
From the Celtic Wiki, Malky Macdonald
For all his ability he won very few caps for Scotland, and then only in devalued wartime fixtures.
Plus ce change…
Steinreignedsupreme, 16:56
THE EXILED TIM, 16:57
No, I didn’t know anything about it (though lovely to see it).
I posted the other evening to say that the dumping of Green had bought them some time at the very last minute. Though with the money draining from them like a blood bank in Dracula’s Castle it is just a matter of time until it reappears.
Mark Hateley: A Serious Fraud Office investigation is like a new signing.
henriks sombrero-Longmuir and Ballantyne run the SFL,no need to ask any questions there.Another scandal going unchallenged.
Plus Ca Change…..!
(C-Cedilla)
Oh Scrofulous One…
!!Bada Bing!!
17:24
Maybe, but it’s not going to help Charles Green or Sevco. Charles still has all those shares. He has agreed to sell to the Inverclyde Fleet but not until December. So he still has them. Or thinks he does. Because here comes wee Craigy claiming that the shares are rightfully his.
If they are Craigy’s Sevco are toast, because Craigy’s sine died.
O.G. Rafferty – is to to do with Orlit then ?
!!Bada Bing!! 17:24 on 24 April, 2013
“So Challs leaves Poundland last week and the Serious Fraud Office are after him this week? …..stroke of luck that eh?
“Another strand of the Masonic Cabal,where’s Regan????”
Challs hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s still a director of Sevco. A sideways step is not going to help him wriggle out of this.
Paul67
Watched the Boavista game in the Park Bar Finnieston then got a fast hack to the Brazen Head and managed to get upstairs in Durty Nellies for the afterparty lol! What a night, what a lockin hic!. one of the best non stadium related football memories.
always funny Steinreignedsupreme, always look for daily hateley.lol
KLV
Goldstar- I shall purchase your shares in RIFCPLC, as operation share- hoover proceeds apace.
My holdings will soon achieve critical mass; the point of no return, when I MUST submit a bid.
Yessirree.
Come and see me in 5 years and I’ll give you 50p to keep my place in the gazebo while I arrange a pay day loan for Bill Gates.
Parkheadcumsalford
16:50 on 24 April, 2013
A gentle suggestion.
Video record the reminiscences of your dad.
Living history is lost without record.
My auld uncle used to tell me of the day Johnny Thompson died.
He was there.
Thomas Rogne has hinted he might leave Celtic when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Norwegian defender, who joined Celtic in 2010 from Stabaek, turned down the club’s offer of a new deal in February.
The 22-year-old expressed his frustration at his lack of regular first-team football with the likes of Kelvin Wilson, Efe Ambrose and Charlie Mulgrew all ahead of him in Neil Lennon’s pecking order.
Rogne is not keen to discuss his long-term future, but admits he will use this summer’s European Under 21s Championship as the chance to put himself in the shop window.
“That is not something I want to talk about,” Rogne told VG when asked about his contract situation.
“The last time we talked about an extention of the contract was one year ago.
“Then, we didn’t reach an agreement about something.
“That is not a problem for me. I am concentrating on playing football and we got a European Championship coming up and I look forward to that.
“There are many good teams, good players and many clubs in the stands. If you play and convince them, doors can open for you.”
Rogne admits he is unsure why he has found himself out of the first-team picture this season.
“I don’t know why it has turned out like this and I am not satisfied with the lack of playing time,” added Rogne.
“But I just got to work with myself and see what I can do better. It is a matter of delivering the goods all the time.”
not fussed.
KLV
feathers
14:03 on 24 April, 2013
Aye, and funnily enough, just like thems, “The Bill” is deid tae!
Nothing on SSN about Chuckles and his P4&! friend being reported to the SFO!
Quelle surpris!
HH
O.G.Rafferty 17:28 on 24 April, 2013
“I posted the other evening to say that the dumping of Green had bought them some time at the very last minute.”
I missed the update, but no worries.
If your story is what I think it is we are simply moving into extra-time against fitter, more skilful opponents – with Sevco down to nine men just days after losing a gruelling penalty shoot-out in the Ramsdens Cup.
Henriks Sombrero, 17:31
They haven’t gone away you know
Caddizzy.
How foolish of me.
I was at one of the Benfica Games in Lisbon around 4-5 Yrs ago and I stayed in the same Hotel as the Quinns, we talked for a while.
I was in BBs around 6 months later and I saw Barry walking towards me and I stopped him and said I know you from somewhere,and he said I know you too ‘OldTim67’ then he explained how we had met.?must have been more oiled than I thought.Small World.
My dear,dear,dear,friend..The Singing Detective
Hiya, Paloomine?
Great tae Greet ye..
Yep… Ah always Liked .. The Present Motherwell Striker.
He wid dae a turn fur us.
When Ah think o’ Neil’s Picks.. regarding .. the Picking o’ Strikers, their Kith and their Kin..
Man… Neil.. is jist nae use at Pickin’ a Striker..
Hoops.. Is the exception..Although,Ah hiv a Strong Inklin’,efter due consideration.. that .. Neil hid Naethin tae dae wi’
the Pickin’ o’ Him.
Noo.. aboot.. “I , Claudius”
Well.. Ah did see the Full Series.. quite a Few Year’s Ago.
Sir Derek Jacobi.. Ma favourite Actor..incidentally.. as the Stuttering.. Much Under estimated, Claudius.. made a Big Impression oan me.
Ah Modelled Ma Negotiating Demeanour oan Him.
“Kid Yer Daft..and get a Hurl fur Nuthin'”
Right?
Damn Right.
Great Series..
You Hiv Impeccable taste Young Man.
Nince chatting,pal
Kojo
Yer pal..who likes ye mair than ..that secret code ring tha Ah goat in that Boax of Cracker Jack.
Still..Laughin’