UEFA Cup Thursday December 12th 2003

Celta Vigo 2

Celtic 1

1:0 Jesuli (23); 1:1 Hartson (36); 2:1 McCarthy (52)

Att: 19,000

Ref: Larsen (Denmark)

Celtic: Douglas; Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen; Agathe, Lennon (Lambert 52), Petrov, Sutton, Thompson; Hartson (McNamara 61), Larsson

This was a night for knowing your history, as for the first time in over twenty years we are in Europe after Christmas. An epic performance against quality opposition playing in the strongest domestic league in Europe. This has left the Hacks as sick as Souness.

This was a real Celtfest, with the Galician locals proving exceptional pre-match hosts for the travelling Hoops. Come kick-off, though and we were as welcome as a shite in a swimming pool.

Celtic started well and despite a hail of flares and fire crackers from the Vigo fans terraced above the Celtic support, the vocal backing was unceasing. The game started at a hectic pace, with Celtic dominant and Sutton squandering a good chance after only 10 minutes. By this point Agathe was terrorising Juanfran and an outstanding Larsson was pulling the Vigo defence out of shape. In response, they were trying to kick him out of shape.

It took 20 minutes for Vigo to really threaten with Lopez causing problems for Valgaeren.

The equalising goal, when it did come, had been signalled minutes earlier, when McCarthy had been denied by the immense Balde. The second time around, Mc Carthy found Jesuli in the box and his shot was cruelly deflected off Laursen's leg past Douglas.

Celtic, however, have grown in their European game, and responded by attacking, throwing Bobo forward for set pieces; a tactic which was unsettling the Vigo defence. Balde's duel with Mc Carthy soon paid dividends as the South African fouled Bobo for the kick that led to Celtic's goal. A knock on from Sutton found Hartson, who muscled by the covering defender to shoot low into the net. The euphoria following the strike was indescribable, as twenty plus years of Euro failure, broke over Vigo, while Galacia was left looking at another local disaster on its shores

In scenes reminiscent of gladiatorial combat in the Colloseum, Celtic fans, drunk on the prospect of glory, fell into the dry moat in front of the stand. The 5 feet bounce onto concrete, left them bloodied and needing help. Those more rubber than others tried to climb out on their own. The stewards. however, in peculiar Spanish fashion, began to truncheon them back into the moat. Obviously Vigo were rattled and their support didn't like it; so much for the pre-match rubbishing of Celtic's chances.

Celtic surged forward and were unlucky not to score a second before half time. Balde narrowly missed with a header, while Sutton skied a glorious chance.

The second period saw an even more physical Vigo, who were clearly panicked at the thought of needing two more goals. Larsson and Balde came in for some serious challenges, but both remained composed, despite continual play acting by Celta players. This time at least the Danish referee was competent.

For all the Vigo huff and puff they were not creating serious chances. Only when Lennon went off injured and Celtic were down to 10 men, did Vigo manage a second. Mc Carthy found his way beyond Balde again and slipped the ball past Rab D.

As mass sobriety ensued on amongst the travelling support, the team didn't panic and dusted itself down and settled to the game. The introduction of Lambert and Mc Namara, along with a switch to 4-4-2, was masterly and kept the Hoops safe. Only one last minute Celta strike came close, but had it gone in, it would have been a gross injustice.

This was our finest hour in Europe for many years, roll in the new year please!