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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ART OF WAR on 25TH MAY 2017 10:27 PM
I’ll send you some stuff from the Hydro tonight.
I was there and it was a magical, special night. Caught up with Hamilton Tim and The Minx which made it even better!
Words juts can’t describe just how special it was. HT asked me at the interval if I’d rather be in the Hydro or in Lisbon, and I have to say, with that special atmosphere and the Lions, I couldn’t have asked to be anywhere more special tonight!
When Rod Stewart’s daughter (and her pal) sang “Grace”, I doubt there was a dry eye in the house! It was a spine-tingling moment!
KTF
Days and nights like this don’t get any better. They say beware of meeting your heroes. What a load of pash. Each CQNer every bit as brilliant as a brilliant thing can be. 25th May may be the proudest day in our history, but today we were all bursting with pride with the Celtic Family giving Lisbon back its swagger. Special thanks to those who were here in 67 and educating and entertaining us mere mortals with tales of that momentous day. Imagine going back 50 years later and finding your old seat. Now, that’s magical!
I got a wee picture with “The Brush” tonight. I said to him that I got a similar one with him about 50 years ago as well!
KTF
And I will say I got a great picture with wee Willie Henderson who said to me that he thought it was a fantastic night and a great tribute to the Lions who were a phenomenal team!
KTF
My thoughts on Brendan on the Cup Final. Paul 67 enjoy my old town tonight and say hello to big JC and the bhoys.Thanks for reading.
https://stayinguplateblog.wordpress.com/2017/05/26/what-it-means-to-be-celtic/
Back in my hotel in Lisbon after one of the best days of my life amongst my extended Celtic family. The green and white party on pink street is still going on. Great to meet Jorge Cadette’s sister who loved our song to her brother. Magical!
Forushowlers ;-))
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sfI_CaDG9FI
Hail Hail
Euphorjc day is over and it’s time to concentrate on Hampden.
Just as a wee dose of reality and bring us back to earth.
Scottish Cup Final 1970
Aberdeen 3-1 Celtic
We won the League by 12 points and the League Cup by defeating St Johnstone 1-0 in the final.
So we were after a quadruple having already defeated Leeds 1-0 in the away tie of the EC.
The folk lore was that we couldn’t win a cup final in even years but we all dismissed such negativity.
Aberdeen handed out a wee warning a couple of weeks earlier when they won 2-1 at Celtic Park.
This cup final illustrated the influence a referee can exert on a result.
RH (Right Hun?) Davidson awarded a controversial penalty against Bobby Murdoch when an Aberdeen shot from close range hit him on the shoulder.
Then Clark the Aberdeen keeper dropped a ball at Lennox’s feet.
Bobby swiftly scored but the ref chalked it off for a mythical foul.
Lennox was then hauled down in the box and the ref made one of his many “Honest mistakes.”
And still people call us paranoid.
Jock was hauled before the SFA for his truthful comments. They never had any shame.
In the last 10 minutes we had a flurry of goals with Aberdeen going up 2-0 before we pulled one back through Lennox which was offset when Aberdeen restored their 2 goal lead in the final minute.
It was a disappointment but we consoled ourselves by anticipating the Leeds 2nd leg at Hampden.
An event for which everyone and their granny was scouring the city for a brief.
The biggest kick in the nakas came when on the way home my brother in law pulled out his line showing he had bet Aberdeen at I think 7-1.
https://youtu.be/LeJxulrl1PM
Fuxache ‘GG
Invincible treble within our grasp ;-))
YNWA
H.H.
Good morning friends and an Extra Big Happy Cup Final Eve Friday from a dry, very warm, almost sunny already, excited, wonderful, beautiful, magical East Kilbride. One more sleep. Just one….
Great result for the Bhoys last night; I must admit I was a bit worried when Inter got the early penalty- here we go, cattenaccio – but we didn’t panic and after Tommy unleashed his thunderbolt in the second half the result was never in doubt.
But for the woodwork and the Inter goalie it could have been another 7-1 for the record books.
Anyways, better get ready for school.
Quietly- my dad says he’ s got a bit of a sore head!
Glorious morning in darkest Lanarkshire, lhad home for final, I am still ticketless, but he is sorted so that’s the main thing.
Still haven’t watched the Beeb documentary, waiting for an empty hoose so I can enjoy the tears.
Hail! Hail!
Morning to all Bhoys and Ghirls wherever you are from warm sunny Glasgow.
I did my usual last night and feckin fell asleep about 5 minutes before BT Sports prog on Sean Fallon….I woke up on the sofa after it was over…………..
Could anyone post the link on here, if so then thank you ?
HH
Madden is a bigot. His comments in paper are outrageous for a referee. The ball moved..I am comfortable with that. He even admits he played the man first! Show he is looking for any excuse o make decision he wants. He is a
50 years ago today was the one and only time I wore my Celtic scarf to work. Bus from Toryglen then train from Central to Hillington – I was not alone – lots of big grins and sore heads.
Safe journey home for the Lisbon pilgrims
Hail! Hail!
Good morning from Lisbon, there will be a few sore heads tokay, ACGR my God you must be rough:))
Chucky as l insists on calling you, enjoy the sclaffbaw, hopefully you will be able to see the ball.
Bmcuw… make sure your dad is up.
Lionsroar, if you’re on… thinking of you mate. HH
9.14am and already 21 degrees in EK on Cup Final Eve. Pity I have work to sort of do ;-)
Lisbon Diary Day 3
Not quite sure how to describe yesterday.
The trip to the stadium was a phenomenal experience and for all who attended including the Hillman Imp guys Cyclists and supporters..thankyou. I phoned my dad and he asked “where are you?” “Behind the goals where we scored” we then spoke about our day 50 years ago and the two of us were bubbling.
Then it was off to the street party which was just an immense piece of daftness. An arch passed over the street and tour buses were stopping to watch the Celtic fans in huge numbers partying like it’s 1967. The amount of Portuguese people who asked if we had been playing that day was incredible..when we explained we only missed the game by 50 years..they laughed and drank with us.
Right heading off to the CQN Golf Day with a hangover the size of a Celtic supporters heart.
Kikinthenakas
I posted this last night
” Back in from the Hydro ….what a night….absolutely knackered …getting too old for all this roaring, singing and dancing ….hahahaha ”
Must have been REALLY knackered since I post it in Paul67’s previous article ….hahaha
Off out now, will read all the Hydro feedback later ……. Cp Final next, then Henrik / Lubo game on Sunday …. some weekend…..MON THE HOOPS
Oh,what a night…
Oh,what a trip…
Oh,what an amazing city we are in,for such an awesome reason,and in such unbelievable company.
To everyone who made it possible-from Jock and the players fifty years ago,or the people of this city,or the party animals who have made this week such a joy…
MY GRATEFUL THANKS!!!
To the smashing gentleman who provides us with a platform around which so many bonds and friendships have been formed…
Thank you. Very much indeed.
HH
Good morning CQN from a bright, breezy but warm East Devon.
Still haunted by that 1970 final, RH Davidson of Airdrie, Right Hun, very appropriate.
Excellent night at the Hydro last night I had a ball, apart from a few clowns at the toilet break who thought it was a great idea to sing a bit of rebel in the que while waiting for a slash, a don’t mind a wee bit of rebel, but in the right place, the Hydro wasent, cringeworthy actually but! They are there and what can yi do, education? This mob where beyond that, every Tim who goes or travels under the Celtic banner is an ambassador for the club and support, several rockets fell down in that department last night, Hun like actually, it’s like thems can’t have a night out without the sash, or Derries walls, that mob can have one without rebel, didn’t spoil my night though, just my thoughts in a post HH
50 years this morning I arrived back in Glasgow with my late Dad and 2 brothers. Euphoric is my very real sense of that sunny and warm day – and then off to Parkhead to see the team with the cup.
I was travelling yesterday between London- Manchester- Glasgow- Edinburgh and tried and failed several times to post a wee memory of Lisbon which I would like to share.
There are many thousands of stories now well recorded and indeed myself and my 2 brothers contributed our own unique story – Dad hiring a plane, it being delayed and arriving late- on the BBC Glasgow 1967.
As we recounted our shared experiences it was quite funny how each of us could recall quite clearly certain aspects of our trip whilst other bite were completely blank.
Anyway to my story.
At the match we were right in line of where Jim Craig squared the ball for the equaliser and more or less for the winner. When we all made the pitch at the end we stood on the corner of that 18 yard line and watched Billy receive and lift the cup. What a glorious memory .
Such was the chaos and euphoria that I cannot recall any discussion about the match itself taking place after the game. I think we were all on too much of a high for such trivia. That could keep. Celtic had just won the European Cup. They were champions of Europe . We were on the biggest high possible and we also had to get home to be at Parkhead for the homecoming.
More chaos reigned at the airport. People were just being herded onto planes. It was magnificent joy. In a couple of short years I had gone from seeing Billy head that winner against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final and end the years of Celtic being a good , but inconsistent football team, to winning the European Cup thought of the preserve of the likes of Real Madrid. Secretly we dreamed that some day Celtic might achieve that greatness but it was only a dream.
At the airport after midnight the team arrived and if the concourse was already chaotic with singing thousands then the arrival of the team took it to another level. I was pushed up against Bobby Rooney and an openly weeping Boby Murdoch . I asked him – actually I bawled at him- the question I had unbelievably not thought of or bothered about since early evening. Bobby- who scored the winning goal? His reply has stuck with me down the decades. He simply said – Celtic scored the winning goal!! If anything summed up how it feels to be Celtic then , now and forever then one of the greatest players ever to wear the hoops answered the question. Celtic first always.
‘GG on 25th May 2017 10:58 pm
God bless Stevie and give his family strength.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/matthew-syed-lisbon-lions-are-vivid-part-of-scottish-history-bk9hp2h25?shareToken=ec44999e76fc1c3c54e8a46cff7270ae
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Thanks for posting that link – if you only have time to read an article then read the above.
Happy hangover Friday…
Good morning & Bom Dia Invincibles.
Already 22 degrees here in the Central Highlands. Better get oot for my walk before it gets too hot.
Fantastic couple of days on the blog, with funny, crazy, poignant and colourful stories around the energy the Lions created in Lisbon 50 years ago, and the fantastic celebrations around the half centennial of our greatest ever team. Miss Hunderbirds and her Granny got to enjoy the Hydro event last night, so I am looking forward to her first ha d account later.
The Lions, what those guys gave us all those 50 years ago can not be measured, or quantified in any meaningful way, but like a stone thrown in to the water, the waves are still migrating away from the event, but every Celt for evermore will feel those waves and be nourished by them as they move through our past and our future.
Hail Hail to the disciples of Glasgow Celtic wherever you are.
Word of The Day (Inspired by invincibility)
apodictic [ap-uh-dik-tik]
adjective
1. incontestable because of having been demonstrated or proved to be demonstrable.
2. Logic. (of a proposition) necessarily true or logically certain.
apodictically, apodeictically, adverb
Word Origin and History for apodictic
adj.
“clearly demonstrated,” 1650s, from Latin apodicticus, from Greek apodeiktikos, from apodeiktos, verbal adjective of apodeiknynai “to show off, demonstrate,” literally “to point away from” (other objects, at one), from apo “off, away” (see apo-) + deiknynai “to show” (see diction).
KTF
Phew …what day!
Loved every single minute…topped off by a wee nite at the Hydro with my wife and her sister and friends.
Great celebration of all things Celtic and our fabulous Lions.
Absolutely thrilled to be alive on a perfect day.
The sun keeps on shining and I feel like I’m in Paradise!
HH
Good Morning CQN
49 years and 364 days to go……
Cloudy and overcast at the moment in the beautiful City of Lisboa. 66 degrees currently but rising to a high of 85 this afternoon.
Thank You Lions and, Thank You Lisbon. You made us feel like we belong here.
We shall return.
If ever there was any doubt that we are a club like no other the second annexation of Lisbon and last nights gig at the hydro blew them away
Still teary eyed after the BBC documentary on Wednesday
Now let’s be honest, I couldn’t be the only bhoy who sat and watched the full game last night with a tear in their eye !
Roll on tomorrow, better remember the tickets this time :(
I heard Alex Ferguson was really good at the Hydro last night…
TonyDonnelly67
Glad you had a fine time at the Hydro.
I feel the main difference between our `bad` fans and theirs is in numbers. We genuinely have only a small number; theirs can counted in the thousands.
Off to Kirriemuir for a Golf Match. High temperature and no wind ( sounds like a bad news/good news medical report ),
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Great night at the Hydro last night
Lived up to the billing
Laughed,cried, and sung my heart out
This is what it feels to Be celtic
Mncelt are you about
Match Report up now.
CELTIC BREAK LATIN DOMINATION IN EUROPEAN CUP
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=36059
Watch out for the new CQN Banner at Hampden tomorrow, paying tribute to the Celtic class of 1967 and 2017 at the same time.
Hope you like it.
new article posted.
HOT SMOKED on 26TH MAY 2017 10:03 AM
TonyDonnelly67
Glad you had a fine time at the Hydro.
I feel the main difference between our `bad` fans and theirs is in numbers. We genuinely have only a small number; theirs can counted in the thousands.
Off to Kirriemuir for a Golf Match. High temperature and no wind ( sounds like a bad news/good news medical report ),
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Oh yes no doubt about that, there’re a time and a place, use it wisely that probably all I was saying as a said other than that the Celtic knocked that gig right out of the park last night, it was a special night.
Paul67, just to correct a minor error in the article, Inter beat Real home and away in the quarters, not semis.
I knew this cos of an interesting fact about the competition that year. Inter beat CSKA Sofia in the semis, but the hard-to-believe fact is the team that CSKA beat 3-2 on aggregate in the quarters – Linfield!
HH.