1967-05-25: Celtic 2-1 Inter Milan, European Cup – Pre-match Reports

(by Geoffrey Green, The Times)

The next stage of the Odyssey embraces Lisbon, where tomorrow evening Celtic, who have swept the Scottish board clean of every major prize in the greatest season of their history, meet Inter-Milan in the final of the European Cup.

Never before has a British side reached this elevated estate and to do so now against the most professional battle-hardened side on the Continent at this time will be a test of tactics, stammina and experience. To say that Inter will be appearing in their third final in four years is to put the size of the job in a nutshell.

Yet Celtic seem to have been offered a slice of luck by the fates before the kick-off. Inter have almost certainly been robbed of their mastermind, Suarez, the Spanish World Cup mercenary, who followed his dominating manager Herrera to Milan from Barcelona. Inter have taken the cue from Suarez in all their triumphs and his absence obviously will count greatly. With this, too, Inter will be without their slim and dangerous moving Brazilian outside right Jair.

In the circumstances, Inter may have to think hard about their tactics. The loss of Suarez will be serious. But for Jair they can call upon Domenghini, a £116,000 recruit from Atalana. Yet there are others Celtic will need to watch carefully – the central two pronged thrust of Cappellini and Mazzola; the wiles of Corso on the left flank; and the sudden infiltrations from the left back of Facchetti.

Yesterday Herrera, the Inter master planner, said: "This will be a very difficult game without Suarez and Jair. But the greatest obstacle is Celtic." As a counter Jock Stein, the Celtic manager, remarked: "Everything that could be done has been done. Now it is up to my players." To which McNeill, the Celtic captain added:"If we can take the lead that will do for us. We hope to make this a memorable game and a memorable night for Scotland."

Having left Glasgow supplied with 10 Aberdeen Angus steaks, 30 spring lamb chops from Perthshire, 10lb. of Ayrshire bacon, 10lb. of gammon and 10lb. of sausages, the Scots should certainly not lack stamina.
Two last facts – Inter have only lost one tie in four succesive years in the European Cup; no British side has even overcome an italian team in the European competition. But there is always a first time.