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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Bhoys,i have zero faith in SFA/SFL getting involved and suspending the huns or revoking their licence.Green,Whyte et al will get done by the FSO or Fraud mob.That club will get away with this.You can hear the “punished enough ” guff from tonight onwards.
Steinreignedsupreme
17:24 on 24 April, 2013
Petrol bombs are great for Hollywood explosions, but do little immediate damage.
That release on the other hand…
“During the course of the Company’s due diligence process, relating to its purchase of a stake in Law Financial, information has been discovered relating to the conduct of Mr Charles Green and Mr Imran Ahmad, this has today been reported to the Serious Fraud Office. ”
Chuckles and his Asian buddy to be doing lodging at Her maj’s pleasure?
Old Tim – more oiled?
Good job you’re not a kittiwake.
oldtim67
small world indeed but in the words of the great Chic Murray
“It’s a small world but I wouldn’t want to have to paint it”
Kojo
17:23 on 24 April, 2013
Peerless Patsy?
The best all time Celtic player?
My antecedents were in complete agreement.
And they saw Jock`s boys.
see the £100 off , which is magnificent.
and all the deals for the weans, which is jelly and ice cream as well.
is there deals for the auld grey brigaders ?
Jonny the Tim
17:36 on 24 April, 2013
To be fair to them, it will take the average MSM journo about three weeks to make sense of the notice…
The exiled Tim
During the course of the Company’s due diligence process, relating to its purchase of a stake in Law Financial, information has been discovered relating to the conduct of Mr Charles Green and Mr Imran Ahmad, this has today been reported to the Serious Fraud Office.
Enquiries:
Love that last para.
Makes me think what has happened over the last 10 years ? we have never looked at any time since then that we could reach another European final.I dont know why that is maybe a lack of ambition by the board but maybe not ? I think we could do worse and look at how Basle have performed in Europe over the same period they are a much smaller club than Celtic and play in a so called back water league but they are doing something right and I am sure we could learn from them. H.H.
corkcelt.
As I said on the post to Cadizzy,I know him.
and he posts on here????.
!!Bada Bing!! 17:40 on 24 April, 2013
Bhoys,i have zero faith in SFA/SFL getting involved and suspending the huns or revoking their licence.Green,Whyte et al will get done by the FSO or Fraud mob.That club will get away with this.You can hear the “punished enough ” guff from tonight onwards.
Agreed. They’ll probably declare Green as not fit-and-proper to be involved with a Scottish club. Then maybe fine oldco 50 grand.
My Dear Kojo….
If You Were Tae Cast Various CQN Posters..
As Characters Fae The Series…..
Who Would Play ‘Livia’….?
Yer Pal….Who Thinks Ye’re Swell..
Bada Bing. Unfortunately your post makes a lot of sense to me. H.H.
Steinreignedsupreme, 17:36
Although this one has been parked for the moment there will me more next week to add to the ever-tangled web. I don’t have the details as yet but it sounds very promising
Can any of you fholks recommend a good car seat cleaner….?……..all bhun lurkers please ignore……you have enough ‘cleansing’ to do…….LOL
Kojo/Macjay
Patsy G? Before my dad’s time even but he’s always sounded like my kind of player. Impossible to compare over different eras but reading reports of his style of play – and single-mindedness- he sounds like one of the old timers who’d have made it in any era.
Jimbo
glasstwothirdsfull-The only body given up will be some minion from Hampden’s 6th floor,who is probably due to retire.
67 Heaven. Autoglym products are usually pretty good and not to expensive and are stocked by Halfords. H.H.
Joe F-HH,I think the downsizing started after Seville to try and reduce wages etc.
Tiny Tim @ 16.14 hrs.
Madrid 1980 was also my first away game to see the hoops.
To this day I can still remember the excitement in the first leg at CP when Johnny Doyle headed the second to make it 2-0. Having just confirmed my away booking this was more than we could have hoped for.
The game in Madrid kicked off at 17.00 hrs with the BBC refusing to screen it live due to Real having sponsorship on their jerseys. ( Changed days indeed ) We almost made it 3-0 on aggregate when George McCluskey hit the bar, but Laurie Cunningham had a great game as Real went on to win 3-0.
I remember Peter latchford being penalised for the 4 step rule which contributed to us losing the game. Offhand I cannot think of any other major game in which this has happened until the abolition of the rule. However I may be wrong??
Nevertheless great memories.
HH.
Bada Bing. Again I think you are right and maybe Basle are paying more for wages than we are prepared to. H.H.
My dear,dear,dear,friend..The Singing Detective
Looks like Nutsy ..wiz oan tae sumptin’…
Last night he said..
“Boss..Aboot awe this I.E.D. stuff that we are Going Thru.. Ah hiv jist hid an inspiring inspiration.”
“O.K. … Try Me.”
“Well… Obama ,is noo going oan like Gangbusters.. aboot..
Banning oor Guns.. Right?”
“Right.”
” So… Why don’t we..
Hiv a ..
Back-Pack Ban?”
“Brilliant.. kid… Maks Sense tae Me.”
Noo.. Subsequent ,tae that conversation..
Ah hiv jist bin Informed , by.. Gal Friday.. that
The Kentucky Derby, administrators…
Have Banned.. You Guessed it!
Back-Packs.. at their Race Meeting.
Like Ah said..
Nutsy, is Oan tat Something..
Kojo..
Still Laughin’
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors 17:48 on 24 April, 2013
Can any of you fholks recommend a good car seat cleaner….?
The guy from Pulp Fiction!
Zombie Supporters Trust Statement on Charles Green and Imram Ahmad
The Trust is bemused that at this time of severe austerity the Serious Fraud Office have taken the somewhat bizarre decision to pursue claims made by the discredited former owner of The Rangers, sorry that should be Rangers – who are still the same club anyway regardless of what Peter Lawwell and his Celtic-minded puppets in the Scottish Media like to claim.
Has the Serious Fraud Office nothing better to do? The Trust suggests resources would be better used investigating Juninho’s EBT when he was at Celtic. But perhaps the unseen Fenian hand reached parts that even Carlsberg is unable to reach.
The Trust is sure it speaks for all The Rangers, we mean Rangers, fans when we call for an apology from Artur Boruc.
Tickets are available for the 55th world-record title party at The Wee Rangers Club (it’s time the The was dropped from that name by the way). We promise a real sash-bash with some pieces for the buffet (first come first serve) all for £25.
jimbo67
17:48 on 24 April, 2013
The best way to explain is that my father and his brothers spoke of Patsy Gallagher in the same way today`s generation speak of Henrik.
With reverance.
Peerless Patsy says it all.
Parkheadcumsalford,
Malky was my father’s favourite player of that generation.
I remember as a kid, being at an Old Crocks game, between Celtic and Maryhill Juniors at Lochburn Park.
Malky was playing and one incident has remained in my memory.
He was pinned against the corner flag, with the ball at his feet, by a younger opponent.
Without apparently moving, he shimmied his hips and left the guy staring at an empty corner flag as glided along the byeline.
Class is/was permanent.
After reading through some of the earlier posts I smilingly said to my Mrs – Charles Green has been reported to the Serious Fraud Squad. Without hesitation she replied what is the point nothing will be done about it in any case.
Certainly wiped the smile from my face!
HH
Time for The clubs in SFL 3 to man up and object, to the corporate, carcass, charade.
corkcelt
as you see oldtim67 has sorted it all out….
as usual….. o))
O.G.Rafferty 17:48 on 24 April, 2013
The gift that keeps giving…
My Dear ,dear,dear, Friend… The Singing Detective..
Easy..
Setting Free the Bear..
He wid be a Natural tae Play ..
Her.
She wiz a real Conniver.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
I am sure that if there was a poll to decide who among the large number of excellent writers to emerge from this fantastic site that Paul created, then Brogan Rogan Hogan and Trevino would be right up there at the top of the list.
This morning I received an email from BRH&T at around 10am and have spent the entire working day reading what he had to say. This email contained BRH&T’s contribution to the first ever CQN Book which will be out next month. His contribution – over 30,000 words long – tells the story of Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion Willie Wallace, in the way that only BRH&T can tell such stories. If like me you were too young to be in Lisbon in 1967 you are about to read the best ever account!
This CQN book is titled WILLIE WALLACE – Heart of a Lion and features Willie’s brilliant autobiography, BRH&T stunning contribution plus the thoughts on Willie and the Lisbon Lions by respected broadcaster Archie McPherson. The foreward is written by none other than Rod Stewart and Paul introduces the new CQN Books project. It will be out in hardback in May and you will be able to pre-order on this site shortly.
Remember this is a CQN Book – from the Celtic family and for the Celtic family.
Willie is also CQN’s guest of honour at the golf day in June as he is coming over from Australia to help promote the book!
Big Vic on STV News saying he is staying…….until we get that big bid probably
Macjay1
Would loved to have seen him- the word Legend is overused , but he was the real thing.
Jimbo
Well OldTim he said to me he doesn’t post anymore but he enjoys reading up. He was very well versed and knew about your exploits with the port at the restaurant without me telling him. A really nice Gentleman, he told me he now lives in England but both himself and his lovely wife travel up to almost every Home Game. He expected the Championship to be wrapped up before last Sunday & booked a holiday in Spain, was a bit miffed at missing out on the game. The Pub we watched it in was The Cunard in La Carhuela its owned by a Tim called Robert, there was complimentary Champagne for all at the final whistle.
Paul67
Nothing would ever be the same again
I think you might have to recycle that blog title in view of latest at Sevco.
My Dear Kojo……
The Population Of Boston Was Put At Risk…
Because They Are Not Permitted To Have Arms…
In That Particular City…..
Obama Wants To Take Away Guns From The Tea-Party Types…..
The Ones That Ye Bump Into When Ye Go Tae Mass……
The Ones Way Faimlies,A Steady Joab…
And Ordered Lives…..
But As Ann Coulter Says….If The Overall Gun Crime Rate In The USA…..
Mirrored That For The 69 % Anglo Population…..
The USA…..Wid Hiv A Gun Crime Rate….
Lower Than Belgium…Or Luxembourg…
Those Hell-Holes Of Iniquity…..
Right….? Right…!
TakeTheGunsAwayFaeTheDangerousFolkCSC…..
Jimbo67
Patsy Gallagher. weighed.. Seven Stone.. Soaking Wet,
and wiz Five, Five in his .. Tom McCanns…
Yet..
He Wiz a Giant and A Heavy-weight oan the Soccer Field.
Ah wiz told this.. bya fellah.. who ..
Used tae be .. A Celtic Manager.
Guess, who?
Right.. Foist time.
Kojo
Still.. Laughin’