1971-03-10: Ajax 3-0 Celtic, European Cup

Match Pictures \| Matches: 1970 – 1971 \| 1970-1971 Pictures

Match Pictures | Matches: 1970 – 1971 | 1970-1971 Pictures

Trivia

The Celtic party left for Amsterdam at midday on Tuesday. Stein took a party of 16 which included reserve goalkeeper Tom Lally, veterans Steve Chalmers, Harry Hood and Bertie Auld and Vic Davidson. They would stay at the Amsterdam Hilton. John Hughes did not travel and Newcastle were still making overtures – but with a signing deadline south of the border of Thursday and Celtic away in Amsterdam from Tuesday to Thursday, it would be tight.
Indonesian separatists threaten to kidnap Ajax players before the game. Celtic were given police surveillance at all times and told not to depart from their hotel without police permission.
Heavy snow in Amsterdam thaws to allow game to go ahead.
Game moved to 65,000 capacity Olympic stadium in Amsterdam to accommodate bigger crowd.
Estimated 3,000 Celtic fans travel to Holland.
Celtic play in change colours of yellow tops, green shorts, yellow socks.
David Hay asked to man mark the great Johan Cruyff.
Newspaper reports state that Jim Craig played throughout in the number 12 shirt.
Jock Stein declines a match against Dutch Women's side – 'We are here for serious business'.
Steve Chalmers was refused an application to to sell alcohol in his newly bought off licence at 1750 Maryhill Road. Glasgow councillors voted 8-3 to reject his application because he did not attend in person as he was in Amsterdam with Celtic.
Airdrie defeated Rangers 4-3 at Broomfield to leave Celtic five points clear at the top of the division.
Davie Hay on this match in 2013:

“We were playing against the Ajax team who were coming to the fore,” he said. “And they won the European Cup for the next three years. “That whole team was world-class but Johan Cruyff was exceptional and is one of the best players ever in the history of football. That was the start of a dominant period for Dutch football, and the start of what they called ´Total Football´. When it came to the second game at Hampden, we still thought we could pull it back. We won 1-0 but it was too much of a deficit against a team like that.”

Ajax v Celtic 1971

Review

Harry Hood had been expected to start but Jock Stein opted for Jim Craig in an unusual inside right position at number 8.

Ajax started brightly and had Celtic pinned back as Cruyff went close on two occasions. Every Ajax attack seemed to go through him. Celtic defended resolutely with Hay man marking Cruyff. Callaghan saw a long shot saved and then Stuy just got to a Connelly pass before Callaghan as Celtic tried to break out. However Williams had to make two sharp saves on the stroke of half time.

After half time Brogan cleared a Cruyff effort off the line with Ajax claiming a penalty in the resultant scramble.
With 62 minutes Celtic were looking comfortable then Cruyff scored a brilliant individual goal after Neeskens had headed on a long ball.

The roof then caved in on Celtic. They were unlucky to concede a free kick on the edge of the area after Keizer bumped into Craig and threw himself to the ground. Hulshoff blasted the ball through the wall and gave Williams no chance.

Celtic pushed Hay forward and he forced Stuy into a fine save. Keizer's goal in the last minute was a crushing blow and gave Celtic a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Cruyff had a magnificent game and only resolute defending and keeper Williams avoided a heavier defeat.
Celtic rarely tested Stuy and Murdoch's calming influence in midfield was badly missed. It was disappointing that Celtic were never able to threaten the Ajax goal and their attacks were rare.

When Celtic arrived back in Glasgow the next afternoon they were taken to Parkhead and put through a strict training session by Jock Stein.

1971-03-10: Ajax 3-0 Celtic, European Cup - The Celtic Wiki