You are here: Home > Celtic
|
|
|
Celtic: Kings of Europe
On May 25th 1967, in the National Stadium in Lisbon, Glasgow Celtic made history when they became the first British club to win the European Cup.
The unforgettable 2-1 victory over Italian giants Inter Milan in the final still ranks as the greatest ever Scottish footballing achievement.
The Lisbon Lions - as that all-conquering team was to become known - carved a glorious place for themselves in the annals of Scottish soccer history. And they did it in style, employing a fluent all-out-attacking brand of football which won many admirers and changed the face of European football forever.
The tactics used by Jock Stein's team were in total contrast to those of their Italian opponents, Inter's ultra-defensive catenaccio system proving about as pleasing on the eye as wet plaster.
No Scottish team has ever again reached the same glorious heights that Celtic soared to in '67.
What made their historic achievement all the more remarkable was that it was accomplished with a team consisting exclusively of Scottish nationals - a feat that will almost certainly never be equalled again (by any nationality).
Furthermore, Celtic won every single competition they entered that year - the Scottish League, Scottish Cup, League Cup, Glasgow Cup and European Cup - making 1967 by far their most glorious season, with the Lisbon heroics the most notable.
Jock Stein had taken over at Celtic Park in 1965, following successful managerial stints with Dunfermline and Hibs. He quickly set about moulding Celtic into the dominant force in Scotland. In 1966, Celtic showed signs of what was to come when they won the championship for the first time in twelve seasons and reached the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
Stein was the mastermind of the 1967 European Cup win. His comprehensive knowledge of the game, tactical awareness and supreme man management were instrumental in guiding the Celts to the final. In Lisbon, he tactically outwitted his opposite number Helenio Herrera whose Milanese team had progressed that far through a sterile defensive style which contrasted markedly with Celtic's attacking flair.
Going into the final, Inter were resounding favourites. This was their third appearance in the decider in four years and they were widely tipped to lift the trophy for the third time.
Things looked ominous when the Italians took the lead from a 7th minute penalty. As expected, they tried to shut up shop but Celtic were not to be denied.
For the remaining 83 minutes, the Scottish champions carried the game to their more experienced opponents, their exhilarating wing play stretching Inter's crowded defence. Full back Tommy Gemmell fired in a scorching shot on 63 minutes to give the Bhoys a deserved equaliser. Then, with only six minutes remaining, Steve Chalmers was on hand to redirect Bobby Murdock's shot. Celtic were Kings of Europe.
History in the making
No British side had appeared in the final of Europe's premier soccer tournament, let alone managed to win it. The estimated 56,000 spectators who packed into Lisbon's Estadio Nacional were watching history in the making.
The game kicked off in scorching early-evening sunshine, with the temperature close to 80 degrees.
Inter's status as overwhelming favourites was confirmed when Jim Craig was rather harshly adjudged to have fouled Cappellini in the penalty area. It could've gone either way but West German referee Kurt Techenscher's decision was final and up stepped Sandro Mazzola to calmly send Ronnie Simpson the wrong way and give the Italians an early lead.
It was the sort of early blow that would've torn the heart out of a less resilient side, but Celtic were nothing if not determined.
True to form, Inter Milan now sat back, seemingly of the opinion that they had done enough. Their error was to underestimate Celtic as an attacking force (although it is unlikely they'd have had an answer regardless of what tactics they deployed).
Under Stein, Celtic were playing breathtaking football, scoring freely all season. Even the concession of an early goal in the biggest match of their lives did little to affect the players' composure.
It was an ideal scenario for Herrara who now placed his faith in his trusty defence . . . but nothing could have withstood the fearsome Celtic onslaught.
Twice, Bertie Auld went agonisingly close. Tony Gemmell forced a magnificent save from Sarti, Inter's inspired 'keeper. Still, despite having dominated possession, Celtic remained a goal adrift at the interval.
After the break, they modified their tactics slightly. They continued to concentrate on all-out attack, with their full backs taking up permanent residence in the opposition half, but the final ball was different. The Italians had been dealing comfortably with Celtic's long centres, so now they began to pump low angled crosses into the packed danger area.
Inter were pinned into their own half. Their legendary attacking left-back Facchetti was too busy watching the lively Bobby Lennox to even consider an upfield sortie while right-back Burgnich had his hands full with the tricky Jimmy Johnstone.
Just when it was starting to appear as though Celtic's supremacy might not tell, along came one of the finest goals ever scored in a European Cup final.
Celtic's persistence was finally rewarded in the 63rd minute when they conjured up a goal that would grace any stage. When Craig found Tommy Gemmell outside the area, there appeared to be little threat to Inter's goal. But, without even breaking his stride, the roving Celtic full back produced a rasping 20-yard drive that gave Sarti no chance, crashing to the back of the net to bring Jock Stein's men back on level terms.
Inter were visibly stunned. Their gameplan was out the window and the momentum was with Celtic, who continued to pile forward and lay siege to the Inter goal.
The bewildered Italians desperately clung on for a draw, their goalie called upon time and again to produce heroics. He saved well from Murdock, then was lucky not to have a penalty awarded against him for a foul on Wallace.
Five minutes from time, Celtic got the reward their adventurous play so richly deserved. Gemmell fed midfielder Bobby Murdock, whose speculative drive across the face of goal was redirected past the helpless Sarti by the right boot of centre foward Steve Chalmers. The world famous Internazionale were beaten and the celebrations began. They still continue today!
Path to the final
The journey to Lisbon began at Celtic Park on September 28th 1966 when Swiss champions Zurich were beaten 2-0. In the 'away' leg, Celtic proved even more formidable, winning 3-0.
Next up were French champions Nantes and Celtic confirmed their overall superiority with two 3-1 wins, giving them a comfortable 6-2 aggregate winning margin.
The only defeat of the campaign was suffered in the quarter-final first leg at the hands of Vojvodina Novi Sad in Yugoslavia, 1-0. But the Yugoslav champions were knocked out by a last-minute Billy McNeill goal at Celtic Park which gave the Glasgow side a 2-0 win and a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Semi-final opposition was provided by Dukla Prague from Czechoslovakia. Two goals from Willie Wallace and another from Jimmy Johnstone gave Celtic a commanding 3-1 first-leg lead. The away leg was tense but finished scoreless and Celtic were through to their first European Cup final.
Under Stein, Celtic were to win an amazing nine successive league titles (1965/66-1973/74). They reached one more European Cup final, in 1970, losing 2-1 to Feyenoord after extra time in Milan. In the semi-final that year, they defeated Leeds United, 1-0 at Elland Road and 2-1 at Hampden in front of 134,000 spectators - the largest crowd ever to watch a European club match.
Twice more, Celtic reached European Cup semi-finals. In 1972, they lost to Inter Milan on penalties; in '74, they fell 2-0 to Atletico Madrid at the penultimate round stage.
The campaigns of '70, '72 and '74 have been largely forgotten or overlooked. As for 1967, well, that's a different story...
Celtic, 1967 European Cup winners: Ronnie Simpson, Jim Craig, Billy McNeill, Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdock, John Clark, Jimmy Johnstone, Willie Wallace, Steve Chalmers, Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1. St Patricks Ath |
9 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
4 |
12 |
24 |
| 2. Bohemians |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
11 |
5 |
6 |
18 |
| 3. Drogheda Utd |
9 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
6 |
5 |
16 |
| 4. Derry City |
9 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
9 |
5 |
4 |
16 |
| 5. Sligo Rovers |
9 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
15 |
| 6. Bray Wanderers |
9 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
10 |
-3 |
14 |
| 7. Cork City |
9 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
13 |
| 8. Shamrock Rov |
9 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
11 |
| 9. UCD |
9 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
-3 |
7 |
| 10. Cobh Ramblers |
9 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
11 |
-6 |
6 |
| 11. Finn Harps |
9 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
15 |
-11 |
6 |
| 12. Galway Utd |
9 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
15 |
-11 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
