As Inter Milan walked onto the Estadio Nacional that Thursday evening in May 1967, they were strong favourites to win their third European Cup in four seasons. They had been denied in 1966 by eventual winners, Real Madrid, in controversial circumstances. Revenge would be extracted in the 1967 semi-final, where Inter beat Real home and away.
That team, immortalised as La Grande Inter, were top of the league and expected to win their fourth Italian title in five seasons, their only loss in that period coming after a play-off.
Real Madrid dominated the European Cup for its first five seasons, but they won only two domestic titles in that period. No team had been such a formidable force at La Grande Inter. Real of the 50s were Continental celebrities, Inter were dominant on a whole new level. Not only were they feared, they were disliked for their oppressive defensive style of play, known as catenaccio.
Across Europe, no one gave Celtic a chance, but thousands in Scotland knew better. Celtic fans knew theirs was a special team. The previous two years were remarkable. Celtic won only three titles in 40 years. They were a novelty team winning little more than novelty titles.
Jock Stein arrived from Hibernian and the world changed. The league was won, then retained for the first time in 50 years, as the club won their first treble. After a long period of desolation, it seemed anything was possible for Celtic. There were no limits.
Celtic didn’t just win the European Cup, they destroyed Inter, ripping apart their imperious reputation. Catenaccio, the belief that the most effective way to play the game was to defend, was dead. Instead, pure, beautiful, football, played by a team born entirely in the Glasgow urban area, saved the game as a spectator sport.
You and I know our founding story well, but there is another founding story. Modern Celtic, the confident football club, which wins trophies and builds structures for its future, was born on 25 May 1967. Without Jock and the Lisbon Lions, nothing that we currently know about Celtic would have happened.
They inspired you and me. They also inspired Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and Martin O’Neill. Without them, Fergus McCann would not have imagined what the right management could achieve.
Brother Walfrid put food on the table of impoverished children, but the hundreds of thousands helped by the Celtic FC Foundation in recent decades are a direct product of the Lisbon Lions. They laid foundations for a modern football club which can fulfil its mission.
I was lucky enough to meet them all. Their humility is overwhelming. Unlike imposters who have followed them since, they have time for their generations of fans. They understand the importance of representing Celtic, even now.
It wasn’t all humility, though. On the field, they were hard. This was a team who took care of themselves and each other. They were (and are still) also funny, cheeky, guys. Devilment donned the hoops. Their success will be celebrated for as long as football is played.
Your life is better for them and it will remain better until the day you die. You are a child of the Lisbon Lions. Thank God for each of them.
Real Betis congratulates @celticfc for their amazing achievement!
Hail, Hail! #inVIncibles#GreenAndWhite pic.twitter.com/2RLg3bfk6a— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) May 24, 2017
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Kikinthenakas
Superb post earlier, just superb.
Game kicks off soon?
Don’t tell me the score, I’m going out so taping it!
Nae spoilers:-)
thanks celtic
7 mins diving bassa never a penalty
Jim Craig csc
LURKINTIM…
Thats THE Song mate.
I have been singing that song for 50 years. My Da bought me the record back in 1967.
I had a wee tear in my eye listening to it again, I know the words….feckin backwards !
HH mate.
31033
a podium on the 25th may – worth its weight in gold there
(I apologise for bringing thems up on the hallowed day but has anyone seen the letter proposing promoting female attendees at turddome – effing hilarious)
Take yourself back 50 years….pretend you’re watching the game live….re-live all your emotions….enjoy ;-))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkfCtNxUF1U
YNWA
Hail Hail
Kinky Redstart,
Going by our journey chaos fits the bill.
Don’t recognise the name.
We were in ND from 1971-74, Sister Frances tyranny time.
Glad you liked the story.
Bhoys and ghirls, remember to set the ole Betamax to record STV2 tonight 8.95 to 9.00pm – Celtic ’67
For the first time in 50 years, STV broadcasts Lord James Gordon’s documentary following Celtic and the fans on the road to the European Cup Finak against Inter Milan in Lisbon.
Nae spoilers noo! :-)
8.05 to 9.00pm obviously doh!!!!!
Jinky Red Star,
My iPad turned you into Kinky Redstart.
Lesson, check before you post.
Apologies.
I think The LurkingTim should be awarded a name change to TheLinkingTim.
Kinky Redstart will be my name from now on Chasbhoy
Larry was in Dowanhil – take it you were in Bearsden
I went in 75 – Sr Francis still ruled!
GREAT NEWS…
THAI TIM….is fine.
Some of us were a bit concerned when he didn’t respond to emails, but he has emailed me today to explain why he wasn’t online for some time.
He offered his apologises for not being in contact, but it was perfectly understandable.
Due to his circumstances he didn’t renew his season book.
HH to THAI TIM
Watching the Bhoys from CQN on STV just now.
The Lurking Tim
You mate get the very first CQN Bhoy of The Day award:))
Instigated by yours truly.
I will watch the documentary when the girls are all in bed.
Thanks mate you’ve made a Tim abroad very happy:))
HH
FOR SALE: Strong, stable door.
Can no longer be closed.
Must sell by June 8.
May exchange for horse.
Hoopy days …
Braw
JINKYREDSTAR
I was there in 1981-82.
I remember Larry fondly.
My kindest regards to her.
BBc giving us a wee tribute there. Had a lassie on saying she was born 9 months and 3 days after Lisbon. Haha wonder how many other Lisbon babies are out there. HH enjoy your night Bhoys an Ghirls.
P.S expect another poplulation spike in 9 months, ;-)
Thought the BBC 6pm news absolutely nailed it.
Starry,
Knew I’d forgot something….a Hoopy Birthday to all in the Celtic family born on this date…..that takes some planning….;-))
YNWA
Hail Hail
Sitting here at home watching STV news.
Nothing makes you more proud at being a Tim than seeing Big Mouldy67 and the cyclists on the TV. A big massive Hail! Hail! To all the cyclist who made the full trip or just did a stage of the Tour To Lisbon.
Add to that our very own BRT&H also making a well deserved appearance. Cap doffed to you Jim for the work and effort you put in to multiply the enjoyment of many fellow Tims on their trip.
Proud moment for me seeing you both and listening to you on my TV.
This is what it means to be Celtic.
Thoughts and prayers again for a speedy recovery for our Bhoy Lionsroar67 over in Lisbon.
MWD
Bad Ass at 7.15 this evening for Dublin based Celts. Sorry about late notice.
Hello lads
I hope everyone is having a great May 25 … especially those of you lucky enough to be in Lisbon today.
Hail hail
Hahaha,
According to the commentator….Ronnie Simpson is sun-bathing….;-))
I wasn’t around 50 years ago….have seen bits and pieces of the game…..been putting off watching it in full till today….hope we triumph ;-))
YNWA
Hail Hail
Goooallll 1-1
Winning Captains.
I’ll have one of you x-large t’s.
MWD
Mouldy67
Love you buddy. Absolute legend.
MWD
Yorkbhoy
Dammit…my stream is lagging.. ..a blame 67 tech ;-))
Commentator….how do Celtic break down an 11 man defence, Celtic : the more attacking and entertaining side ;-))
The more things change, the more they stay the same ;-))
YNWA
Hail Hail
Can anyone recommend a good pub in Oxford for watching the game on Saturday.
As Simpson comes out to retrieve the ball under pressure….and casually drags it back into a pass….quality ;-))
YNWA
Hail Hail
Returning to Algarve after an emotional two-day trip to Lisboa with life long friend Bournesouprecipe. Utterly brilliant, met too many CQNers to mention but what a truly magnificent occurrence. Estadio National was inspirational. I kept picking out spots on the turf and could see lion in my mind. Bobby Murdoch header, the Jim Craig pen, Jinky birling away from Facchetti and of course the exact spot the goals came from. Absolutely delighted to have made the pilgrimage.
Eurochamps67
Goal – Bobby Murdoch 2-1 the good ghuys
Hod on – I think Chalmers put it in, but it doesn’t matter :-)
What on earth is happening in Scotland? For the second evening in succession, the BBC have been very positive about Celtic. The BBC England clip was even more astonishing highlighting, as it did, the fact that Tims were treated as second class citizens in `Bonny Scotland`.
Truly astounded of forehead.
JJ
PS A very polished performance on the Beeb by the Amazing and Magnificent Mouldy. Brilliant performance by ALL the cyclists.
Pps. What is the story with Lionroars ? Is he OK ?
Jinky
Naw, you were right the first time. I`m sure it was Bobby who scored. About time they invented slow-motion replays.
JJ
I’ve just watched The BBC Lions documentary from last night.
Most enjoyable. I loved the way they weaved from the football, to what Glasgow was like in 1967.
You would have to have a heart of stone not to share a wee tear or two with Jim, Bobby and Bertie at the end.
Hail Hail
Hot Smoked.
Until the day he died my Dad would argue with anyone that it was Murdoch who scored. Nothing to do with Bobby being his favourite lion and his second favourite player ever after Charles Patrick Tully.
Hail Hail
David Templeton, x-hun not willing to blame his former employer for not being professional or liquid enough to identify the fact he had a medial ligiment injury.
Warning to any pleb willing to sign for the Hun bassa’s.
MWD