2003-05-21: Celtic 2-3 Porto, UEFA Cup – Match Reports

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Vintage Porto look hot for Celtic

O’Neill plans cagey start then an onslaught on history

Kevin McCarra in Seville
The Guardian, Wednesday 21 May 2003 22.37 BST

On the eve of the Uefa Cup final, Celtic’s minds were full of history and hope. Having reflected on all that the club have achieved and the ambitions they nurse, Martin O’Neill’s team must now narrow their thoughts and train all concentration on a Porto side whom the club president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa calls the best in 50 years.

By implication, Porto surpass even their European Cup-winning line-up of 1987. Tonight’s game on a discoloured, rutted surface at the Estadio Olimpico could make even greater demands of Celtic than their meetings in the tournament with Celta Vigo, Stuttgart or Liverpool. There is a frisson along with the fear.

Celtic are challenged to square up to their own history and the nature of the reaction will be fascinating. It was this club, in 1967, that established Scotland as the smallest country ever to boast European Cup winners when they beat Internazionale. No one presently on the books could remain in ignorance of that.

“We have in our midst someone who actually wore the Celtic top in 1967,” O’Neill said of John Clark, the kit man who was then the team’s centre-half. “We are aware of the fantastic history the club possesses, but now it is up to us to do something for ourselves. The thing is to embrace history – don’t be frightened of it.

“All we can aspire to is to emulate the great Celtic teams. We’ve got some terrifically gifted players and the spirit is similar to 1967. Whether that’s enough to win the game is another matter.”

O’Neill wavers between a superstitious dread that expressions of confidence will be punished and a realisation that Liverpool would “feel strong” if they had survived to face Porto. He sidles towards the logical conclusion that Celtic, victors at Anfield, should be as sure of themselves but then shies away from the claim.

The manager was calm yesterday, but the kick-off will still be a relief. With the goodwill fax from the prime minister thoroughly studied by everyone, there is nothing left to do until then. Both line-ups are missing a forward, with Helder Postiga suspended for Porto and Celtic’s John Hartson ruled out with a slipped disc. Otherwise, it is preferences rather than fitness tests which will shape the sides.

O’Neill may well pick the 11 players who were swamped 3-0 by Porto in the autumn of 2001 in a Champions League away match. Then, the Portuguese club employed three forwards who stretched and overran a trio of centre-backs. Although Celtic sometimes switch to a back four, the same tactical patterns may be employed tonight, with O’Neill believing that his side, now better versed in European football, will engineer a different outcome.

Porto, 4-1 victors over Lazio in the semi-final, appear to be on the rise. Jose Mourinho, once Sir Bobby Robson’s interpreter at Sporting Lisbon and eventually part of his coaching staff at Barcelona, has been in charge for a little over a year, sweeping them to the Portuguese title and a place in next month’s cup final.

His side have a fluid style, with the Brazilian-born Deco to guarantee flair and Derlei, the leading scorer in this competition with a total of 10, to make the build-up count. Celtic, of course, have Henrik Larsson, who has already hit the net nine times in the Uefa Cup and is on the verge of his 200th goal for the club.

Before launching attacks, however, Celtic will wish to establish themselves in an expected temperature of 30C (86F) at the kick-off at 8.45pm local time. “Because of the heat we may have to start carefully,” O’Neill said. “There may be a cagey opening to the game but at some stage you have to come out and express yourselves if you want to win, and that’s what we’ll try and do.”

Although O’Neill recalls the debilitating Spanish heat when he played with Northern Ireland in the 1982 World Cup, he can trust that the modern preparation of footballers makes them better able to withstand it. The climate is a worry even to Porto, who have been training at midday in Oporto to ready themselves.

“I assume common sense will prevail here and bottles of water will be available all through the game, especially during stoppages in play,” O’Neill said. Other factors may also have an influence, with the clubs requesting that a bad surface be mowed and watered today. “The conditions are not ideal for players who have dozens and dozens of games in their legs already,” Mourinho said.

Victory must go to the side who can raise themselves and find a performance beyond all others.

Porto boss: Celtic deserve to win Uefa final

Staff and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Monday 28 April 2003 11.28 BST

Porto coach Jose Mourinho believes Celtic deserve to win the Uefa Cup after their thrilling route to the final in Seville.

He watched Martin O’Neill’s men beat Rangers at Ibrox yesterday to throw the Bank of Scotland Premier League championship race wide open.

Mourinho was impressed with Celtic’s performance and their tough journey to the May 21 final after seeing off Blackburn, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart, Liverpool and then their fierce city rivals Boavista.

“It will be great if Porto win and I will be very happy, but maybe if Celtic win it will be because they deserve it,” he said.

“The way in which they got to the final by beating Blackburn, Celta Vigo and Stuttgart made it much more difficult for them to arrive in the final than Porto.

“I think it is a wonderful moment for everybody and for Celtic and we would want the final to be played tomorrow and not the 21st if that was possible.

“It would have been a bit of history for the people of Portugal if Porto and Boavista had played in the Uefa Cup final, but in terms of football and international atmosphere it is much better to play the final against Celtic.

“I believe there will be an invasion of Spain by the Scottish and Portuguese people.

“We want to win, Celtic will have the same feeling as us. We will play a very good final – a quality, quality final.”

But the Porto boss feels his side will be too strong for the Glasgow giants.

The Portuguese team crushed Celtic 3-0 the last time the sides met during the Champions League in the 2001/2002, but Mourinho points out that a lot has changed at the club since then.

“That was not my Porto,” he said. “I have to believe my Porto are better.

“Our team has changed a lot since then with 14 new players coming in and the team that Celtic played against has maybe only Deco and Jorge Costa still in it.

“This is a completely new team with players without a lot of international experience who have come from small clubs in Porto.

“They are full of motivation, confidence and a desire to play at a high level.”

Mourinho will switch his attentions towards the Portuguese title before Celtic will come back into his thoughts.

“We have to wait and before that we have to play and win other matches so I can’t concentrate too much on Celtic and forget what I have to do in the Portuguese league,” he said.

“This is my only chance to come here and see Celtic because after this there are a lot of fixtures, but I wanted to see and analyse the team, then I will forget about it until maybe the 18th or the 19th of May.”

Celtic 2-3 FC Porto: FT Report

ESPN

Celtic’s dreams of tasting European glory again came to an end in Seville as Porto triumphed 3-2 in an epic and exhausting UEFA Cup final.

Brazilian striker Derlei’s strike in the 24th minute of extra-time ended the resistance of 10-man Celtic, who put a glorious struggle against their Portuguese opponents, for whom Nuno Valente was dismissed in the final minute.

Porto twice went in front, through Derlei and Dmitri Alenichev, but twice Henrik Larsson headed the Glasgow side level to take the match into extra-time.

Bobo Balde’s dismissal made matters difficult for Martin O’Neill’s tired side in the extra period, and though the 10 men put in a magnificent effort, they finally had to accept defeat.

By the final whistle, after a thriller of a second half and despite the result, there can have been no regrets.

Of the estimated 80,000 Celtic fans who had launched the most good-natured of invasions of Andalucia, only around 35,000 made it into the Estadio Olimpico for the match. Even so, they still outnumbered the blue-and-white clad Porto supporters by two to one.

Whatever the result, this was always going to a memorable night for Celtic, though it ended in tears of despair rather than jubilation. Perhaps never before has a match been so transformed by fans alone from mere a game of football into a national event.

Before kick-off, the stifling heat looked to be Celtic’s chief foe, with temperatures hovering around the 90 degree Fahrenheit mark. Perhaps it was the tropical climate, perhaps just the sheer weight of expectation, but the Celtic players looked tense from the start while Porto appeared assured.

With Deco looking lively, Joos Valgaeren had his hands full, and it was the Belgian’s foul on Porto’s playmaker which created the first opportunity of the game.

Deco’s free-kick was blocked by Neil Lennon, but the rebound was struck first-time and low by Maniche, bringing a good save out of Rab Douglas.

Celtic forced themselves into the fray and conjured up a shooting chance for Stilian Petrov 30 yards out, but he miskicked his volley.

Deco, turning theatrical tumbles into an art form, won another couple of free-kicks, striking the wall himself first then making way for Valente to shoot straight at Rob Douglas.

Larsson, taking a leaf out of Deco’s book, fell spectacularly under Jorge Costa’s tackle and then whipped in a fierce free-kick which tested Vitor Baia to the full.

Derlei scuffed a shot into Douglas’ hands, but with half-an-hour gone O’Neill would have been pleased his side restricted the Portuguese to a minimum of chances from open play.

His only worry perhaps was that the Hoops had been even less creative, though that changed when Larsson opened up Porto down the right and Didier Agathe bent over a wicked cross which only just missed Chris Sutton’s head.

Agathe tried again, picking out Sutton who flicked on and this time it was Larsson within inches of making a vital connection.

Lennon hacked clear after Alenichev’s ball in ricocheted around the box, then Douglas pulled off a brilliant block to deny Deco after he burst past Valgaeren onto Maniche’s pass.

On the stroke of the interval, Celtic’s hopes took a real turn for the worse when they conceded a goal at the worst possible time.

Alenichev was allowed far too much space on the left to pick up Deco’s cross, and although Douglas once again pulled off a superb stop, he could do nothing to stop Derlei ramming home the loose ball from close range to spark wild scenes of Porto celebration.

Ill-feeling between the teams broke out at the half-time whistle as Agathe’s frustration boiled over, but O’Neill will have been more concerned with changing a system which had allowed Porto to pull apart Celtic’s defensive tactics and left Larsson and Sutton isolated.

Maybe the streaker who appeared just before the second half began and ran off dribbling the match ball – he tried and failed to beat Baia from 12 yards – eased the tension.

Whatever the reason, within two minutes of the re-start Larsson had levelled matters.

Agathe outpaced Valente and crossed to the far-post for the Swedish striker to leap above Ricardo Costa and direct a perfectly-aimed header over Baia, the ball dropping into the net off the upright.

Not a bad time to score your 200th goal, and his equaliser was followed by an incredible crescendo of noise, though it did not take long for that to die out.

Deco was the architect, a swift turn earning him space before a delicious pass inside the defender allowed Alenichev to drive the ball low past Douglas.

A couple of minutes later and Larsson did it again.

Thompson swung over a corner and the Swede, completely unmarked, powered in a header from six yards out to make it 2-2.

Paulo Ferreira showed Porto’s threat remained when he sent a scorching shot whistling past an upright, Derlei stung Douglas’ fingers from 25 yards, then just before extra-time Alenichev fired just wide.

Into extra-time and the prospect of a `silver goal’ – but Celtic looked on their last legs.

The fatigue showed when Balde’s tired, but crude lunge on Derlei earned him a second caution and so a red card.

Sutton found some strength and shot over from 25 yards before O’Neill sent on 20-year-old Shaun Maloney to add fresh legs in attack, and he immediately caused problems for the Porto back-line.

But the exhaustion took its final toll.

Douglas spilled Marco Ferreira’s shot, Derlei kept his cool, moved inside one challenge and hammered the ball into the net to end those Celtic’s dreams.

Celtic (0) 2 FC Porto (1) 3 AET

2-2 after 90 minutes

(Telegraph)
A slow burner of a UEFA Cup final reached a thrilling climax in Seville last night as Celtic lost to FC Porto in extra time.
After a first half where tempers rather than technique were the talking point, the second half burst into life with Celtic showing the spirit that had taken them this far by twice coming from behind.

If Deco was the game’s most skilful player, Henrik Larsson again underlined his predatorial instincts with his 43rd and 44th goals of the season, causing a suspect Porto defence anxious moments both in the air and on the ground.

Man for man, the Portuguese champions may have been superior but Celtic’s drive, passion and never-say-die attitude with outstanding individuals such as Larsson and Didier Agathe made them a match for Jose Mourinho’s side.

However, after Bobo Balde’s sending off in the first period of extra time, Porto went ahead through Vanderlei Derlei in the 115th minute and Celtic were powerless to respond.

The atmosphere inside the Estadio Olimpico as the game started was as good as it gets – noise without nastiness, passion without punch-ups. It was also an Andalucian Celtic Park as the vast majority of spectators were clad in green and white, albeit with painfully pink skin.

The sets of supporters had mixed with few reports of trouble – one Celtic fan sustained minor cuts after a row with a fellow Scot but the pair embraced in court after the aggressor was handed a nominal fine. The local police and civil guard had been virtual bystanders.

One Irish bar yesterday sold 300 barrels of beer and had been frantically trying to obtain another 200 to satisfy the thirst of supporters parched from the near 100-degree heat.

The world of showbusiness was represented by, among others, singer Rod Stewart, who flew from Los Angeles on a private jet, while comedian Billy Connolly travelled from nearby Jerez with former Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson, one of the more unlikely twosomes in Seville.

The double act on the pitch, which had green sawdustsprinkled over bare patches, had reached the final from a competition involving 146 teams.

Both had seemed unlikely participants last autumn. Celtic had defied the odds to overcome Blackburn, Celta Vigo, Liverpool and Boavista. FC Porto, who have just clinched their 19th Portuguese title on the back of a 27-week unbeaten run, had been expected to struggle with many tipping them to finish behind Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Boavista.

Although the supporters behaved themselves, the early stages were marked by heavy challenges from both sides. Joos Valgaeren was the first cautioned for a lunge at Deco.

When the over-physical side subsided, Porto began to show their class with Deco impressing in midfield. They were superior in technique but looked vulnerable to crosses into their area.

In the 22nd minute, Larsson, who had been fouled by Maniche, tested Vitor Baia with a well struck, low free kick from 25 yards. Deco was causing problems with his close control and tricky footwork and set up the opening goal at the end of a generally mediocre first half.

After Deco’s cross, Rab Douglas did well to parry Alenichev’s initial fiercely struck shot from 10 yards but Derlei pounced on the rebound.

Tempers rose again as the players made for the tunnel with an unsightly bout of pushing and shoving involving coaches, too, which was sparked by Derlei unsportingly kicking the ball at Agathe’s stomach.

Within two minutes of the restart Celtic were level when Larsson exploited Porto’s frailty in the air. From Didier Agathe’s deep cross from the right, Larsson, on the far post, sent a looping header over Baia for his 200th goal for the club.

The joy was shortlived, however, because in the 54th minute Deco beat two opponents to set up the chance for Alenichev to steer the ball past Douglas from 12 yards. But two minutes later Larsson made it 2-2 when dreadful marking gave him a free header from Alan Thompson’s right-wing corner. The second half was proving to be as exciting as the opening 45 minutes were tedious with the game played at a remarkable pace given the heat.

O’Neill has fashioned feisty group(Telegraph)

Hugh McIIvanney’s article, in the Sunday Times, The Voice of Sport, August 31,
2003.

Celtic get reward for Seville miracle

Sometimes even football administrators have to be complimented and the
tributes are undoubtedly due to Uefa for showing the imagination to rise
above tradition by bestowing their fair-play award for last season not on
a club but on a mass of paying customers, the amazing worldwide army of
Celtic fans. That the Celtic support is a phenomenon totally unique in the
whole of sport became undeniable when an estimated 70,000 of the faithful
converged on Seville for the Uefa Cup Final in late May, and appropriated
that beautiful city for a gigantic street party whose bonhomie remained
magnificently undiluted after their team were beaten by Porto. The
hoariest veteran observers of the scene (All right, I’m talking personally here)
had to admit that they had never witnessed anything comparable.

It must be said immediately, of course, that the Glasgow club’s following
contains plenty of questionable elements. Bigotry and a willingness to be
violently contentious are not hard to find in their rank. But when they
congregate from across the globe in a vast concentration of allegiance,
the warm, sentimental mixture of memories and hopes that binds them together
invariably swamps the less attractive tendencies. Like Scotland’s tartan
army,who have also consistently earned admiration in distant countries,
they police themselves. The hardest men among them embrace the wholesome
principle that there is nothing more macho than civility and respect for
their hosts. Those who step out of line are liable to be reminded
forcefully of their responsibilities.

The Celtic supporters thoroughly deserve the award for the small miracle
of Seville. They can hardly be optimistic about their club’s prospects of
going far in this year’s Champions League. But winning friends is never a
negligible consolation.

the editorial in “The Times”….

Players and Fans have Done us Proud

Cruelly, there is no trophy to show for their efforts. But Celtic’s
performance in the Stadio Olimpico last night will long be savoured as a
special moment in footballing history. In the oppressive heat of Seville,
with the searing pressure of expectation on their shoulders, Martin O’Neill
and his boys did us proud. Despite the taunting of questionable
gamesmanship from a less-then-sporting opposition, despite cold statistics
which cast them in the role of underdogs, Celtic’s team of heroes fought on
with dignity, with spirit and with a passion that all but a few would
struggle to match. Yet, while disappointment hangs heavily in the air
today, there is no shame in defeat for either them or their faithful legion
of fans. Anyone who witnessed last nights 120-minute rollercoaster of
drama and emotion cannot fail to have been inspired by the commitment and
courage mustered by every player who donned the hooped shirt. To a man
they played for the jersey – an old-fashioned concept many of the modern
game’s new millionaire stars (and their supporters) simply do not understand.

And if last night’s Celtic squad can be held up as models of good conduct,
so too can the 50,000 – plus fans who made the pilgrimage to share in
their moment in the limelight. Despite their huge numbers (and awesome
volume of alcohol sunk during colourful street fiestas) not one fan was
arrested on match day, rightly earning them praise at the highest levels as
“consummate ambassadors.” The football world is now well-used to the
humour and spirit of the seemingly indefatigable Tartan Army. This week in
the overwhelming but good-natured invasion of Spain, the Green Division
took the reputation of Scottish fans to a new level. Leaving the troubles
of everyday life behind, conveniently forgetting the hefty credit cards
bills that will soon follow them home they set out to party and extend the
hand of friendship to whoever they met. From rock stars to roadsweepers,
they arrived with the confidence they could compete on an equal level with
Europe’s elite. But they did so in the spirit of friendship and warmth,
intent on savouring the experience, whatever the result at the final whistle.

Scotland has left Seville with its reputation enhanced and its head held
high. Glorious defeat is scant consolation. But there is so much
potential to build on the sense of pride of team and country that thousands
cannot fail to have taken from last night’s experience. Larsson, Douglas,
Thomson et al may not have their achievements engraved on Uefa silverware
today, but it is etched in the hearts of genuine football fans the world over.

(Evening Times) ALAN PATTULLO

IT IS, ostensibly, the morning after the night before though time has
grown steadily more inconsequential here in Seville. Fans were still outside
the Estadio Olimpico seeking taxis to ferry them the inordinate distance to
the city centre even while charter planes carrying the first home were
landing in Scotland at 3am on Thursday morning.

Many never made it to bed at all, too strung-out by nerves, excitement
and pain, too wrecked to remember where it was they stayed, perhaps too
sensible to have even bothered wasting money on a space they knew they would
not occupy having anticipated one most basic premise: it’s magic, you know,
sleep and Seville don’t go.

It is why so many casualties were yesterday slumped in the train
station at Seville, caught in a twilight zone which suggests slumber to be
advisable but which simply refuses to sanction it. Another good thing about
these platforms, which yesterday were littered with green and white debris,
is the shade they offer, since yesterday the morning sun again cast down a
fiery gleam on a city for once not thankful for the bright light which
served to aggravate the headaches. Not all of these were of the sort caused
by alcohol and treated by nurofen.

Logistical nightmares there have been many, including the unexpected
need to close down the city centre for five hours on the day of the game,
and the added stress of a giant television screen not flickering to life
until well into the second half. Another was rendered almost unwatchable due
to sunlight obscuring the screen.

The local airport which on Wednesday handled 249 flights was yesterday
described as being, like the majority of the Celtic fans, close to burn-out.
Seville, declared the Diaro de Selvilla, had been anointed the “le capital
de Escocia y Portugal”, and little wonder.

“The quantity of beer we have sold has never been known before in
Seville,” said Juan Rubles, director of hospitality for the city. “Although
some locals could not get to their favourite restaurants, the fans more than
made up for this in financial terms. I don’t remember a day when there have
been so many non-Sevillanos in the city, not even in the final of the
Spanish Cup, not even in the World Cup of 1982.”

Yesterday the invading force began to pull out, with the high-speed
AVE close to having every seat reserved on trains to Madrid. The Madrid
Emerald Celtic Supporters Club, three of whom never made it to their beds
because some dolt had their key (sorry lads), began the retreat north at
midday, outraged at the Madrid-centric sports paper Marca’s decision to run
on its front page, even in its Seville edition, Jesus Gil’s resignation as
Atletico Madrid president (the little matter of the UEFA Cup final does not
rate a mention until page 34).

Many fans sought mementoes to take with them. Onlookers watched
dumfounded as a group of Scottish supporters pondered over this conundrum:
one street lamp, at the tip of which dangled a highly desired and neatly
embroidered flag advertising the UEFA Cup final.

Shimmying up the pole, which formed the first attempt at looting,
failed rather miserably.

A lorry driver could not then be tempted by the offer of a 10 note to
reverse slightly, so that another fellow might clamber upon the roof of his
trailer in search of his high-flying quarry.

Then, incredibly, having discovered the Spanish word for ladder,
another marched out of a local restaurant carrying said item. Alas, it
proved too short. So two tables were snatched from a nearby pavement cafe,
and placed one on top the other, with the ladder now precariously situated
on top.

We had the height needed, but did we have the braveheart, the
master-builder, required to scale the wobbly structure? Yes we did. It wasn’
t a moment to rival for significance the tearing down of Saddam Hussein’s
statue in Baghdad, but the sight of fears being vanquished drew applause
from the locals who watched with some admiration the street performance.

It also said much about the type of fan who had travelled here: those
who would stop at nothing to support their team, and who were determined to
remember the occasion when they eventually return, be it via torn ticket
stub or pilfered street flag.

They know, despite what Marca reckoned, they had been the main story
here, the reason why Seville won’t be the same for some considerable time
yet. And the memories brought home to Scotland, to Ireland, to the States
and wherever else, will cling like the dust to the shoes of those far-flung
Celtic fans gradually filtering home from a city which has, in more ways
than one, just been declared dry.

Seville: Tom Shields reflects on the trip of a lifetime to Seville as

part of Celtic’s invasion force of fans which recorded a spectacular
victory by winning over the hearts and minds of the citizens of the
Spanish city and helped salve the pain of losing the Uefa Cup final to
Porto

It is said history does not remember the runners-up. The 80,000 or so
Celtic fans in Seville this week disproved this rule. As the last of the
hooped ones lowered their banners and folded their tents to depart, the
citizens of this paradisaic Andalucian city were still talking in terms
of some wonderment at the comportment of the Celtic supporters.
‘I cannot imagine what your celebrations would have been if you had
won,’ was a common refrain. The word educado cropped up regularly when
Sevillians were asked their opinions of the visiting verdiblancos.
Educado does not mean educated. It is to do with politeness, good
behaviour, and many other words which are antonyms of hooliganism.

Even those hardier souls from the Gallowgate, some of whom do not appear
immediately to qualify for the term educado, were magnificent. My new
friend Fernando who is the Compo of the Last Of The Summer Wine set in
the Morales bodega near the cathedral in Seville, said his only
complaint was that Celtic had not brought with them more of their
beautiful female fans. Particularly, the younger variety in the short
kilts.

Everybody and their granny was among the Celtic support. There was a
surprisingly large number of grannies. Ladies who looked for all the
world as if they were heading, message bag in hand, down to Henry
Healey’s to get something for their man’s tea.

The fact they were wearing Celtic jerseys on top of their usual outfits
marked them out as Glasgow grannies who had failed to resist the
temptation to migrate to Seville for this event. I tried to elicit from
one such lady the motivation for her trip. The full text of the
soundbite supplied by this impressive and sensible lady is: ‘Naw, son.
Ah’m no’ talking tae the papers.’ She departed into the heat of the
Seville afternoon looking very much like a woman who was off to steep
her feet in her hotel room bidet.

At the other end of the age scale I found Liam Kriger from Tel Aviv.
Liam, at the age of 11 months, was the youngest person wearing a Celtic
top sitting drinking on the pavement outside Morales bodega. I should
point out Liam was on his mother Sigal’s knee and was being breast fed.

Wednesday, May 21, was the longest day for this correspondent. I went to
bed early to prepare for the Uefa final. I woke up at 3.30am to a
refrain, from a group of fans gathered in the street below my balcony,
that while ‘Buckfast tonic is fine, we prefer Spanish wine’. The chaps,
from Saltcoats, were not drinking wine, but litre bottles of the local
Cruzcampo lager laced with vodka.

Much has been written about the Herculean drinking of the Celtic fans.
Carlos Cari–o put it well when he spoke of the ‘peaceable Scottish
support dedicating themselves to the beautiful and precious art of
drinking beer’. Cari–o said that he had never seen, even in Seville a
city noted for religious artefact and symbolry, such a sight as 25
Celtic supporters worship a passing brewery delivery lorry.

Hearteningly, more and more football fans are staying relatively sober
on match days on away trips and this was certainly a feature of the vast
majority of the Seville contingent who wanted to savour the moment
rather than the bevvy. But on the days before and after the match, there
was the opportunity for indulgence. Some to excess with the usual
consequence.

The lost souls trying to find their hotels. Brendan from Clydebank
trudging the streets in an attempt to locate a hostal whose name and
location he had forgotten. He did know, however, that it was beside a
bar with a pool table.

Another of the dazed and confused said he was looking for a place called
the Hostal Completo. At least that’s what the sign on the door said.

Many fans had no such luxury as a bed they could not find. Some took a
leaf from Seville’s own rough sleepers and booked into the
air-conditioned cashline areas thoughtfully provided by some local
banks. Some had brought Celtic blankets, supporting the club
merchandising even in their slumbers.

One fan, sleeping in a doorway, had taken off a training shoe to use as
a pillow. He woke up, still much the worse for wear, and walked off
leaving his shoe behind. A young Spanish couple retrieved the shoe and
even put it back on for him.

A more organised squad had travelled from Manchester in a van with a
two-seater sofa in the back. ‘The wife wasn’t too happy,’ the driver
said, ‘but she was lucky we couldn’t fit the armchair in.’ One fan, who
will be nameless, said he had been in a bed for all of 15 minutes during
the trip. It was in a bordello and it cost him 31 Euros. Despite the
best efforts of Archbishop Mario Conti, who urged any of his flock in
Seville to eschew temptations of the flesh, sex occasionally becomes a
topic of conversation on such trips. I overheard a Fife chap saying to
one of the aforementioned Saltcoats men: ‘Do you want to shag my wife?
100 Euros. I’d give you more, but it’s all I’ve got on me.’ This was a
good joke but not as fine as the T-shirt with the words: ‘My wife thinks
I popped out to buy a loaf.’ Many traveller’s tales emerged and will
continue to emerge from Seville.

Well done to the two Tim soldiers who travelled all the way from Goose
Green in the Falklands. The Sri Lanka supporters had the nicest banner
with the drawing of an elephant beside the compulsory shamrock. Well
done to those who made the last miles from Malaga to Seville in a convoy
of mopeds. ‘Twenty miles an hour going uphill, 70mph going downhill,’
said John-Paul, one of the bikers.

The sight that cheered me first on the way back from the stadium was a
bus with Pollok on its destination board.

On the fancy dress front, the first prize definitely goes to the troupe
of leprechauns from Ayrshire. Father Steve Gilhooly from Currie in
Edinburgh is commended for his ensemble of Celtic away top,
three-quarter length white pantaloons, and green-and-white hooped bovver
boots. I didn’t recognise Steve at first and uttered a blasphemous
‘Christ!’ when I realised who he was. ‘No, it’s just Father Steve,’ he
said.

There was much to fill the heart and mind in Seville last week. There
was much salve for the soul to witness, in a sea of greed and hype,
Celtic fans passing on to fellow supporters at face value tickets which
they could have sold for hundreds of pounds.

The game itself for me passed in a blur. I thought we were going to
sneak a famous victory. But I was knackered and couldn’t kick a ball in
extra time.

Call it unsporting but afterwards I didn’t shake a single Portuguese
hand. The pain of coming so close precluded any such expressions of
sporting fellowship. I remained, I hope, educado, but did ask quite a
few Porto fans what was the Portuguese word for cheating.

As ever the Irish came to the rescue. I didn’t feel much like
celebrating, which is an unusual emotion in Seville. But Colm and
company from Finbar’s pub in Madrid insisted. They had bought the last
40 litres of Cruzcampo from the all-night kiosk beside the river and
were having a pavement party.

Colm and his pals were skilled, if inebriated, gymnasts and gave
impressive displays of somersaults and forward rolls for the benefit of
the occupants of passing Porto supporters’ buses. I think Colm and Co
were hinting at a certain amount of diving and unsporting theatricality
on the part of the Porto players.

There is no room here, and even if there were I probably could not find
the words to express the pride I feel in Celtic football club, its fans,
players, and a bloke called Martin O’Neill.

Runners-up? Yes. Losers? No.

DAN MCDOUGALL IN SEVILLE

OUTSIDE Seville’s crumbling sandstone city walls, the Andalusian
capital’s working class quarter of Triana houses flamenco dancers,
prostitutes, bull fighters and gipsies.

On the fringes of the barrio’s daily market, Maria Calvonas, a
shopkeeper, is having a clearance sale – buy an ice-cream and get a free
T-shirt.

Sadly for hungover Celtic fans ambling around this historic market, the
T-shirts deliver a crushing reminder of their woe – they feature a
picture of Henrik Larsson underneath bold green script proclaiming:
“Glasgow Celtic FC 2003 UEFA Cup champions”.

Elsewhere, on the cover of every Spanish newspaper from El Pais to the
local Andalusian El Corro, photographs of Portuguese players clutching
the trophy stare back at the Scots from news stands.

For the thousands of fans sleeping rough in doorways and parks, the
morning after the night before began painfully, with the sound of
high-powered hoses and the muttered curses of Spanish refuse collectors
who had declared a revolt against the messy Scots conquistadors and
drafted in hundreds of cleaners to tidy up the filthy beer can- littered
streets.

South of the city’s famous Alcazar – alongside the former tobacco
factory where Carmen, the fiesty cigarrera featured in Bizet’s opera,
once worked – the detritus of the long night before remained.

Along the pavement, thousands of broken bottles, stained Celtic flags
and McDonalds cartons littered the ground.

The poetic soundtrack for Celtic’s adventure, although not a patch on
Bizet, was clearly dedicated to their great Glasgow rivals, Rangers,
“who were watching The Bill while the Celts took Seville”. But
yesterday, there was little evidence of the colourful songs that had
kept even the nocturnal Spaniards from sleep.

In Bar Campanario, which lies in the shadow of Seville’s cathedral,
William and John Gallagher, brothers from Glasgow, acknowledged that
they would always have the memories of the trip.

William, 40, said: “Sure, it is quieter today but as I see it, we have
been to a European cup final and for my generation, it was something I
had always hoped for. To have been here in the midst of history means
everything to me regardless of defeat. It is something I will never
forget.”

After the hangover, the next headache for Celtic fans will be getting
home.

In the Maria Lusia park, a colourful labyrinth of tree-lined paths,
hundreds caught the final rays of sunshine before heading for the
airport. Among them, Keiran Sheridan, 28, from West Lothian, was stoical
in defeat.

He said: “Despite the play-acting during the match, Porto are still a
great team and we took them right to the wire. The last few days in
Seville have been the most fantastic experience of my life, although my
real worry now is just how I am going to get home.

“I stayed out last night and I was supposed to be on a flight back to
Glasgow in the early hours of the morning, but my friends talked me into
staying. I will now have to hitch-hike back or get my parents to bail me
out. I figured I might just as well get some sunbathing in before I work
it out.”

At airports, bus depots and train stations all over southern Spain, the
mass migration back to Scotland was causing massive problems.

In Madrid, one of the main hubs for Celtic fans on the move, locals were
preparing for a post-match party in the city’s main squares with the
arrival of thousands who had an overnight stay on the way home.

In Seville’s barrio Santa Cruz, with its winding narrow streets and
romantic white-washed buildings barricaded with iron grilles, more than
1,000 fans said a final farewell to Spain with a far from tuneful
rendition of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life .

Seville has long had a reputation as one of the most romantic cities in
the world.

Celtic’s pale-skinned travelling army, in their sombreros, kilts and
training shoes, may not be modern day Don Juans, but ask the locals and
they will tell you the defiantly upbeat Scots fans here have won many
hearts.

From UEFA Website

A true ‘fiesta de fútbol’

Wednesday, 21 May 2003

By Simon Hart in Seville
Seville has a special colour. So goes a song extolling the city’s beauty by Los del Río, the band who gave the world the Macarena. Whether they had in mind the colours of UEFA Cup finalists Celtic FC is a moot point. However, as the headline in one local newspaper put it yesterday: “Seville woke up green and white.”

Everything’s gone green
More than 27,000 shirts were sold when Celtic’s new kit went on sale last week and every single one of them appeared to be on display on the streets of the Andalusian capital ahead of the final against FC Porto. If it was not a Celtic shirt, it was the stripes of Real Betis Balompié – the local club whose colours derived from a set of Celtic kits brought to Seville in 1909.

Supporters’ songs
The central Plaza de San Francisco was taken over by the Glasgow club’s supporters – reddening under the fierce sun – who, prompted by a cheerleader from the Daily Record newspaper, ran through their repertoire of songs. Despite an official allocation of 15,700 tickets each, some 60,000 Celtic fans and 25,000 from Porto were here.

‘Fiesta de fútbol’
A total of 350 charter flights landed in this corner of Spain and the arriving sets of fans mingled happily and ensured this final really did match its billing as a ‘Fiesta de fútbol’. The UEFA Cup may have been overshadowed by the UEFA Champions League’s recent expansion, but here was a spectacle to savour.

Anthems aired
The Spanish press made much of Celtic’s Roman Catholic connections. ABC featured a photo of four supporters kneeling at the cathedral’s altar and thousands of Celtic fans congregated there on the eve of the final. Crowded under the orange trees, against the backdrop of the cathedral’s Moorish minaret, the lovely 12th-century Giralda, they filled the night sky with their anthems.

City drunk dry
In a city famed for its religious processions, however, this was very much a secular pilgrimage. Their presence beside the cathedral had much to do with its proximity to Flaherty’s Irish pub: the establishment is believed to have sold two months’ worth of beer in five days. The Seville public have looked on with a mixture of amusement and astonishment. Miguel García, whose bookshop looks on to the cathedral, said: “I have not seen anything like it – not even during the 1982 [FIFA] World Cup.”

Passionate atmosphere
Before the match Porto coach José Mourinho had complained about the rutted state of the Estadio Olímpico pitch, relaid just three weeks ago. Venue of an athletics world championship, it may not be a natural football arena yet there was nothing wrong with the atmosphere. Inside the 52,000-capacity stadium, Celtic fans outnumbered their counterparts by at least two to one. Las Ketchup, the Andalusian singing sisters, added some spice before kick-off with a rendition of their hit song ‘Aserejé’, but the supporters’ efforts were more memorable.

Stage set
Moments before the teams came out, the Porto fans unfurled a huge banner displaying the badges of all their victims en route to Seville. The Celtic end raised their scarves and sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. The stage was set and two past European champions produced something memorable. They traded goals, and songs too – “Nós somos campeões” one minute, “We shall not be moved” the next. The air thickened with insects, extra time came and Derlei won the game for Porto. Portugal had its first UEFA Cup winners. A Porto banner said it all: “Another glorious chapter in our history.” The Celtic fans? They just carried on singing.

Derlei denies Celtic place among legends

(Independent)
Celtic 2 Porto 3

By Phil Shaw in Seville
Thursday, 22 May 2003
The first so-called Silver Goal ended Celtic’s hopes of a golden finale to a thrilling Uefa Cup campaign in the Olympic Stadium last night. Porto, facing 10 men for all but five minutes of extra time after Bobo Balde was sent off for a second bookable offence, settled a dramatic final through the Brazilian Derlei with five minutes of the additional half-hour left.

The first so-called Silver Goal ended Celtic’s hopes of a golden finale to a thrilling Uefa Cup campaign in the Olympic Stadium last night. Porto, facing 10 men for all but five minutes of extra time after Bobo Balde was sent off for a second bookable offence, settled a dramatic final through the Brazilian Derlei with five minutes of the additional half-hour left.

Rab Douglas could only beat out a shot by Marco Ferreira and Derlei drove it back in, the ball entering the net off Ulrik Laursen. Unlike the final of two years ago, when a “golden” own goal by Alaves gave the trophy to Liverpool, Porto had to play out the remaining time. They had Nuno Valente dismissed for a second yellow card as the tie entered injury time, but held on with few alarms.

In normal time – not that there was anything normal about this cacophonous occasion – the teams had traded four goals during a dizzying 12-minute spell either side of half-time. Porto, a more polished outfit who had the outstanding individual in the artful Deco, led twice through Derlei and Dmitri Alenichev.

Yet Celtic’s collective heart is as big as a cathedral. Each time they produced instant equalisers, both from Henrik Larsson’s head. Once they were depleted by Balde’s folly, however, they had little chance of conjuring the third riposte that would have earned a penalty shoot-out.

At the bitter end Celtic and their vast following, who had been hoping to emulate Jock Stein’s 1967 Lions of Lisbon, had to endure the hated sight of a blue-and-white celebration, knowing only too well that it will merely be a preview of Sunday’s final instalment in the struggle for the Scottish title should Rangers prevail.

Martin O’Neill, the Celtic manager, certainly faces one of the toughest tests of his managerial career to lift his troops for their 60th game of the season. Winning at Kilmarnock would have been hard enough without a prolonged battle in sapping heat.

Many of Celtic’s green army, who had made pilgrimages from the United States (“Texas Fenian Bhoys” read one banner), the Far East, Europe, Tyneside, Ireland and even Glasgow, booed Porto as they stepped up to claim their prize. Some of the Portuguese theatrics, notably a dying-swan act by keeper Vitor Baia when he had not been touched, left a sour taste, but overall they were the superior side.

Celtic’s support outnumbered Porto’s by three to one, but sadly an ear-bleeding barrage of noise is no guarantee of victory. Porto, as their coach Jose Mourinho noted, are accustomed to performing at venues where all the crowd are against them.

In a contest strewn with players crashing to the turf – there were nearly 60 fouls – they had the better of the exchanges despite making an early substitution. Costinha, the midfield anchor, seemed to pull a muscle while executing a pass and gave way to Ricardo Costa. It was already evident that Celtic had earmarked Deco, the Brazilian-born Portuguese international, as the principal source of danger. One illegal challenge on him, by Joos Valgaeren, resulted in Douglas making the first save of note from Maniche’s 25-yard volley following a free-kick routine.

Playing a longer, less intricate game than Porto, Celtic gradually settled, and Baia’s hands needed to be at their most adhesive to prevent their taking the lead midway through the first half. Larsson, fouled by Maniche, bludgeoned the free-kick which the keeper did well to hold as Valgaeren darted in looking for scraps.

Celtic lived dangerously when a corner kick landed in their six-yard box, and again as Deco swept past one defender before Neil Lennon lunged to deflect his shot behind, but they were caught out in first-half stoppage tine. Deco’s exquisite chipped pass across the penalty area found Alenichev unmarked, and when Douglas could only parry the Russian’s shot, Derlei nipped in to convert the rebound.

The second half was about to start when a male spectator ran on, dropped his shorts in the centre circle and ran away, ball at his feet, towards Baia’s goal. The keeper stuck out a leg to prevent his net being ruffled as the interloper disappeared under a scrum of police officers.

Within 100 seconds of the restart a streak of altogether greater significance for Celtic was maintained. Didier Agathe’s deep cross found Larsson rising beyond the far post to send a looping header back across goal. The ball struck the other upright before rolling into the net for the Swede’s 200th goal for Celtic.

In the 54th minute, Porto edged in front again, and once more Deco was the creator, beating Valgaeren before his pass split the Celtic defence, allowingAlenichev to despatch a crisp drive past Douglas.

A third goal in 11 minutes brought Celtic level before the hour. A short corner resulted in the left-footed Alan Thompson swinging the ball in from the right, whereupon Larsson materialised unchallenged in the heart of Porto’s area, like the instinctive finisher he is, to make it 2-2 and 201.

Suddenly, the game was living up to expectations. Celtic, far from wilting in the humid conditions, were full of running after their two swift levellers until Balde left them facing a thankless task. Derlei, by drilling in his 12th goal in the competition, not only edged in front of Larsson as top scorer but left O’Neill facing the prospect of Celtic’s most exciting season since the Stein era ending bereft of silverware.

Celtic 2
Larsson 47, 57
Porto 3
Derlei 45, 115, Alenichev 54
Aet; 2-2 at 90 min Att: 52,972

Celtic (3-5-2):
Douglas; Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren (Laursen, 64); Agathe, Lambert, (McNamara, 76), Lennon, Petrov (Maloney, 104), Thompson; Larsson, Sutton. Substitutes not used: Sylla, Fernandez, Smith, Hedman (gk).

Porto (4-4-2):
Vitor Baia; Paulo Ferreira, Jorge Costa (Pedro Emanuel, 71), Carvalho, Valente; Deco, Costinha (Ricardo Costa, 9), Capucho (Marco Ferreira, 98), Maniche; Derlei, Alenichev. Substitutes not used: Peixoto, Clayton, Taigo, Nuno (gk).
Referee: L Michel (Slovakia).

MAN FOR MAN HOW THE TEAMS COMPARED IN SEVILLE
CELTIC

Rab Douglas 7/10
Solid and unflustered. Made fines saves from Deco and Alenitchev. Not at fault for first two goals, unlucky with third.

Johan Mjallby 6
Mostly composed and tidy, making powerful challenges. Wandered slightly at times.

Bobo Balde 7
Seemed nervy in opening exchanges, but gained composure to get typically tough tackles in. Too tough in the end – he was sent off in extra-time.

Joos Valgaeren 5
Earned an early yellow card by taking out Deco, which tempered his tackling thereafter.

Didier Agathe 6
Made his trademark wide runs and quick, accurate crosses infrequently, but superb delivery for Larsson’s second.

Paul Lambert 7
The biggest problem in the first half was a lack of possession. When it came, he ran with it and used the ball cleverly.

Neil Lennon 6
Given responsibility for picking up Deco, no easy task. But tackled and pressed with increasing urgency.

Stilian Petrov 6
A strong start in the middle, alternately harrying for the ball and patient for chance to pass.

Alan Thompson 6
Gave options for width on the left that were under-exploited. Most effective when he slowed the pace to find a telling pass.

Henrik Larsson 8
Used his brain for dainty first-half runs and touches then his head for two equalisers, one excellent, one simply powerful.

Chris Sutton 7
Worked tirelessly against run of play to win the ball and act as a decoy for Larsson. Brave late assistance in midfield.

SUBSTITUTES
Ulrik Laursen 5 (on for Valgaeren, 64) Added touch of composure.
Jackie McNamara 4 (on for Lambert, 76) Gave away the ball twice in dangerous positions.
Shaun Maloney 6 (on for Petrov, 104) Fresh legs provided promise, but wasted opportunities.

PORTO

Vitor Baia 4/10
Mixed. No brilliance required or given despite one good save. Pathetic, cynical time-wasting at death.

Paulo Ferreira 6
Eager to attack down the right, he risked leaving space by pressing forward, but tracked back well.

Jorge Costa 6
Ex-Charlton defender showed early aggression but calmed down and passed well.

Ricardo Carvalho 5
Used power and height to good effect. But, like some team-mates, suffered lapses of concentration.

Nuno Valente 6
Can take some credit for Larsson having quiet first half. Passing was fluid. Marred his night with deserved red card.

Deco 9
As far as Celtic were concerned, a constant menace with his pace, deft footwork, quick brain, neat passing and ease on the ball. A gem.

Costinha 4
Lasted less than nine minutes before succumbing to injury.

Capucho 7
Upping tempo then slowed it seemingly at will. Combined superbly with Derlei. Ran all night.

Maniche 6
Mostly played a midfield holding role in front on the defence. Erred when going forward.

Derlei 8
Persistent threat on the edge of the box. Livewire when dropping deep. Thumped the opener and extra-time winner.

Dmitri Alenichev 8
Anonymous for 30 minutes then exploded into game and scored a composed goal.

SUBSTITUTES
Ricardo Costa 5 (on for Costinha, 9) Steady throughout.
Pedro Emanuel 5 (on for Jorge Costa, 71) Solid performance.
Marco Ferreira 5 (on for Capucho, 98) Became frustrated, but assisted in winner.
Marks by Nick Harris

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tribute to Celtic: ADIOS AMIGOS; CELTIC FANS NURSE HANGOVERS AND PACK THEIR SOMBREROS FOR THE JOURNEY HOME AFTER THE PLANET’S BIGGEST PARTY IN SPAIN.

2003 Scottish Daily Record & Sunday
Link/Page Citation
Byline: CARA PAGE & JACK MATHIESON

THE peal of bells from Seville’s landmark cathedral heralded a new day and with it the affectionate parting of the city’s new friends.

It was time for the Spanish hosts to wave goodbye to the Celts they had taken to their hearts and been with every minute of the rollercoaster cup experience.

In the last four days, the generous supporters from around the world had pumped more than 26million euros into the economy – pounds 18.2million.

But more than that, the spectacle of the tide of green and white visitors had shown them a Scotland they never knew.

As Europeans, the people of this cultural city were aware only of the reputation of English hooligans. Secretly, they had braced themselves for the worst.

But instead of punch-ups, there was dancing in the streets. And instead of trashing bars, fans hugged policemen.

The fact is the fans drank Seville dry. Some pubs ran out of stock and had to close by kick-off.

Police chief Antonio Bertomeu was the first to praise their dear Celt friends as they woke bleary-eyed yesterday.

He said: “In the name of all my officers, I would like to thank the fans. We saw nothing but good behaviour and a great sense of humour.”

And Rafael Carmona, president of the cup final stadium, said: “The Celtic fans have set an example to follow.

“This is the way football should be and we wish all football fans were the same.”

He added: “The stadium authorities would like to thank every single one of the Celtic fans. In our opinion, they are the best in the world.”

Many hundreds of fans wandered out of their hotels and hostels yesterday with their sombreros tied to their rucksacks.

Others lay in the shade of pavement cafes, still in their team colours, slumped against luggage, waiting for taxis.

More trudged off to the nearby station to begin their long journey home, while others wandered to pubs to down much-needed cures.

The exodus had begun hours after the match at the same time as a huge clear-up began in the city.

As the bars closed and fans drifted away, dozens of teams of cleaners hosed down the streets and rid them of the mountain of plastic cups, cans and bottles.

For two days, many of the fans had slept in those very streets where they partied until they dropped after legions of fans snapped up every room in the city.

Kay Wilson, 42, of Barrhead, Renfrewshire, was among those soaking up her last glimpse of the sun before heading home.

She said : “We are gutted for the team but celebrated getting as far as we did. We are just looking forward to Sunday now, lifting the Premier League.”

THE mayor of Seville, Alfredo Sanchez Monteseirin, wished their visitors well on their journey home.

He said : “I would like to express, in the name of all Sevillians, my most sincere thanks for the extraordinary good behaviour of the Bhoys that came here to experience the final of the UEFA Cup.

“Like in all finals, there can only be one winner. I hope that in your next visit to Seville you will remember with affection our city and leave it victorious.”

The workers who kept the city ticking over thoughout the marathon party had nothing but praise for their visitors.

Waiter Javier Luque, 22, said: “We knew straight away the difference between the Celtic and Porto fans.

“The Celtic ordered quality and quantity and were very generous with their tips.

“They carried on being polite – drunk or sober – they all thanked me over and over again for my service.”

Taxi driver Carlos Gimenez agreed. He said: “The Celtic fans are very good people. The Portuguese, before they got in, always ask how much I charge and want to put five people in a car which takes four. With the Scottish, two people jump in and just say, `Take us there.'”

Juan Robles, president of the Association of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs of Seville, has also been left with good memories.

He owns four restaurants within yards of the gothic cathedral and was bowled over by the honesty and integrity of one particular family he met.

He said: “I had two Scottish men and a woman who left my restaurant at three- o’clock in the morning without paying the bill for 78 euros.

“I couldn’t believe the next day when they came and apologised and gave me the money. They couldn’t say sorry enough but I was just surprised and delighted.”

He hopes many fans will return with wives, girlfriends and families to relive their time in Seville again.

He added: “Not many people here speak English but the Scots went out of their way to be understood and understand us.

“Any time they fancy coming back, this is their home and we will embrace them.”

Before the big match, the wit and fun with which the Bhoys embraced the city could be seen on every corner.

Singing hordes winding their way to the stadium with high hopes made Sevillians laugh out loud when they playfully hijacked a beer lorry trying to wind its way through the crowded streets.

THE pick-up truck was stocked high with shiny barrels of the fuel that had kept the fans in good voice for days.

Kiosk owner Juan Ramirez said: “They surrounded the truck until it was forced to stop and got down on their knees in front of us and saluted the beautiful beer they had been drinking.

“Then the crowd parted and let him get on with the important job of delivering the stuff. The driver loved every minute.” The city immediately sided with the legions of Celts as they rode into town.

And their good manners shone through as they scoffed traditional tapas in the Andalucian capital.

Andy Smith, 35, of Castlemilk, Glasgow, said: “Celtic fans from all over the world had their own reasons for being here.

“The huge distances some of the fans travelled must make it one of the best parties the world has ever seen.”

Exiled Scot Paul Noras, 26, who lives near Perth, Western Australia, was one of many fans from Down Under.

He said: “We just had to be here ourselves to enjoy the experience of Celtic in a big European final.” Also there in force were the contingent from North America, which boasts 76 Celtic supporters’ clubs, stretching from Boston to Hawaii.

All the overseas fans brought tales of far- flung shrines to Celtic – like the supporters club set up in a garage in Fresno, California, or bars where supporters gather to watch matches at strange hours.

The invasion gathered momentum in the days running up to matchday itself, and balconies, fountains and plazas were all taking on a green and white hue.

Beer orders increased as Irish bars began to rock to the strains of “Hail, Hail” and many other favourites. If any of the local men and women still doubted the passion Hoops fans have for their club, it was dispelled at the magnificent eve-of-final Party in the Park.

The dusty Prado de San Sebastian played host to 10,000 ecstatic fans who sang and danced the night away.

And the Celtic fans should be left in no doubt about what they have achieved this week.

Keith Todd, manager of Flaherty’s Irish Bar, said: “The supporters have become a tourist attraction in their own right and they have done Scotland proud.

“They have generated enormous good will for their club.”

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