| Match Pictures | Matches: 1971 – 1972 | 1971-1972 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic travelled by charter on the Monday afternoon staying at the Gellert Hotel.
- Dixie Deans went over on an ankle in training and was ruled out of the game. Danny McGrain made a surprise start with Davie Hay moved forward. Tommy Callaghan dropped out of the line and in came Lou Macari. The team went 4-4-2 with Lennox and Macari out front, Murdoch, Hood, Hay and Dalglish in the middle and McGrain, McNeill, Connelly and Brogan at the back.
- Lucky Celtic fans staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest were invited to a party after the match by fellow residents Liz Taylor and Richard Burton in their penthouse suite. The Holywood stars left £5000 behind the bar for the bhoys and partied with the fans. This story is now legend amongst Celtic fans.
- Both Taylor and Burton were happy to pose with Celtic scarves for the fans and Elizabeth was presented with flowers to show their appreciation.(See match pictures)
- Unfortunately filming commitments prevented them from attending the game. The Celtic players could not attend the party as they flew back to Glasgow immediately after the match.
- Richard Burton delights the Celtic fans by singing 'I belong to Glasgow' !
- Ujpest declined the opportunity to move the game to the giant Nep stadium in Budapest.
- The game was a four o'clock kick off and was beamed back live to Scotland by STV and it gave them the highest TV ratings in Scotland for that week.
- This was Jock Stein's seventh anniversary as Celtic manager.
Review
Ujpest had recently beaten Leeds United in Europe and the Leeds team raved about the Hungarians so this was a tremendous result for Celtic. Jock Stein had also received a warning from thew manager of Dynamo Kiev when Celtic played them at home as a warm up Friendly before this game.
For the first 20 minutes the heavens opened and the pitch was deluged with rain from a thunder storm. Horvath scored for both sides and as Ujpest took control McNeill's experience was invaluable. Horvath's own goal came when he diverted a long Brogan through ball past his own keeper. He redeemed himself with a 30 yard pile driver which gave Evan Williams no chance.
Both teams played open football and came close to scoring. Ujpest grew stronger after their goal but Celtic pressed late on and Macari nabbed an invaluable winning goal when he swivelled in the area and scored from a Dalglish pass.
Jock Stein rated this as Celtic's finest result since Lisbon and was ecstatic about the performances of his young players – McGrain (21), Connelly (23), Macari (22), Hay (24) and Dalglish (21) especially with the experienced Johnstone, Deans and Craig all out injured.
Teams
Ujpest Dozsa: Szentmihályi, Nosko, Maurer, Juhasz, Ede Dunai, Horvath, Fazekas, Zambo, Bene, Antal Dunai, Toth
Goals: Horvath (64)
Celtic:
Williams, McGrain, Brogan, Murdoch, McNeill, Connelly, Hood, Hay, Dalglish, Macari, Lennox Substitutes: Connaghan, Quinn, Callaghan, Davidson, Wilson.
Referee: H Weyland (West Germany)
Attendance: 31,000
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
The most telling statement from the Hungarian press after the game came from the Party newspaper 'Nepszabadsac':
"….they had superior teamwork, technique, skills and speed – the works in fact. Every player was a defender or an attacker as the momentary situation required."
Pictures
Match Report: The Scotsman Thursday 9th March 1972 Macari scores winner for superb Celtic
By Arthur Montford
UJPEST DOSZA 1, CELTIC 2
BUDAPEST, Wednesday.—A cheeky goal by Lou Macari four minutes from time gave Celtic a magnificent victory. They picked themselves up after losing a second-half equaliser to put in a composed final 25 minutes which reflected fairly their superiority. Manager Jock Stein must be very confident about the outcome of the second leg in two weeks' time. But more important, on this form, Celtic can again go all the way in Europe. It was primarily a victory for teamwork though if individuals have to be singled out then Evan Williams had three memorable saves and Bobby Murdoch showed he is still a great player. He made his reputation in Europe and tonight he re-established it.
George Connelly was outstanding in attack and he gave Billy McNeill magnificent support when Ujpest crowded on the pressure. Bobby Lennox and Harry Hood fought and harried in defence, and in attack played football seldom, matched by the Hungarians. Macari and Dalglish, both in their first season in Europe, were as calm as any of their more experienced team-mates and the tenacious Macari worried the Ujpest defence by his non-stop chasing. Every 50-50 ball was his.
Celtic faced the now traditional opening barrage as Ujpest went for a quick goal. But Connelly and McNeill were cool, calm and collected everything which came their way.
It was, in fact, Brogan who was responsible for Celtic's first goal. He momentarily abandoned Fazekas, the Hungarian's dangerous right winger, to pick up the ball in midfield. His shot front far out never looked a scorer until the big left half Horvath dived to head for a corner. It shot off the side of his head into the far corner and past a stunned Szentmihalyi in goal.
Horvath atoned for that own goal in the 64th minute when he scored the equaliser. He hit a great drive from 35 yards which beat the diving Williams. Soon after, Williams saved from the same player in a similar position. Perhaps he would have stopped the first shot if he had been warmed up but he had little to do before then.
Celtic withstood some heavy pressure before regaining their confidence. They came away strongly and at the end were well on top.
Macari’s goal came after a series of corners on the right. The ball broke clear but it was quickly returned from the left. Szentmihalyi palmed down a shot to Macari, who was surrounded by defenders ten-yards out. Coolly the young forward twisted left and right, swivelled until he found a space, and calmly lobbed the ball over Szentmihalyi to give Celtic the goal which should get them through to the last four.
Celtic—Williams; McGrain, McNeill, Connelly, Brogan, Murdoch, Hood, Macari, Hay, Dalglish and Lennox.
Ujpest – Szentmihalyi; Nosko, Maurer, Juhasz, Dunai, Horvath, Fazekas. Zambo, Bene, A. Dunai and Toth.
The Scotsman, Thursday 9th March 1972
But Ujpest are still far from out . . .
Ujpest come to Celtic Park in two weeks time and with away goals counting double it seems their task is hopeless. But that it should seem to be that way may work to their advantage. Celtic would be stupid to write off Ujpest yet.
The Hungarians fell down where all previous East European teams failed. They seemed to lack urgency after their winter break. Ujpest have played only three competitive games this year and didn't seem to have fully wakened from their hibernation.
They failed to adapt to the changing conditions as well or as quickly as Celtic. A downpour made the going slippery and players went tumbling and losing balance; there was a wholesale change to long studs at half-time and it was at the start of the second half that the Hungarians began to assert themselves. They did enough then to show they must be treated with respect in the second leg.
Celtic withstood the opening minutes but not without difficulty. But from the 16th minute, they began to look more composed. Hay and Hood started to play the ball out from the defence with masterly precision.
There was a period of sustained Celtic pressure and Ujpest’s defence cracked when Horvath slipped as he tried to clear from Brogan in the 20th minute.
His header shot past a stunned goalkeeper and there were groans of disappointment from the 31,000 crowd.
From the restart, the Hungarians mounted tremendous pressure and one of their best scoring chances came in the 60th minute.
Bene headed the ball straight to Dunai who cut between Connelly and McNeill to hit a low shot for the left hand post. Williams seemed to have come too far out and the ball had actually passed him when he flung himself backwards and scooped it off the ground for an amazing save.
Poor Dunai looked crest-fallen and doubly so seconds later when he fooled his own team mates with a back heel across goal instead of a cross to the unmarked Bene.
The crowd gave the inside forward a roasting but even Dunai’s mistake was forgiven when Horvath hit a vicious rising shot from 35 yards to equalise in the 64th minute.
McNeill had his name taken in the 70th minute for a crude tackle on Toth and minutes later Celtic were lucky to escape a penalty award when Lennox upended the winger in the box.
But Celtic, champions in 1967 and runners-up two years ago, weathered the storm, then snatched the winner with four minutes to go. And with Macari's cool goal, Celtic seem to have booked their European Cup semi-final place.
The Glasgow Herald Thursday March 9 1972
Celtic surpass all expectations with victory in Budapest
From Raymond Jacobs, Budapest, Wednesday
Ujpest Dozsa 1, Celtic 2
Celtic unquestionably produced one of their finest performances on the Continent tonight when their play rose above all expectations and beat Ujpest Dozsa, the champions of Hungary, in the first leg of their European Cup quarter-final tie.
Indeed Jock Stein's comment afterwards was that, considering the age of the team this was Celtic’s best display at this level in Europe. Only the final which Celtic won in Lisbon in 1967 surpassed it.
When the return match is played at Parkhead in a fortnight’s time it must surely be only a formal proceeding before Celtic advance for the third time in their six appearances in this supreme competition into the semi-final round.
Celtic were given the great encouragement of having a lead given to them on an own goal after 19 minutes. They had command of the midfield through Murdoch, Hay, and Dalglish. They did not allow Ujpest to build a rhythm and little or nothing was seen of Bene, Antal, Dunai, and Fazekas, their most feared strikers.
Behind, Celtic's defence stood firm with Williams and Connelly in tremendous form and McNeill, Brogan and McGrain, in particular appearing in such a crucial match for the first time, letting little pass. They contained Ujpest, and not until midway in the second half was there any faltering.
Only after Horvath had redeemed his mistake with the equalising goal did Celtic come under severe pressure. But they held out and with five minutes left Macari scored the second goal which Celtic, in fact, deserved on their play in the first half.
Those looking for ominous omens before the match quickly had their wish. As the teams emerged before a capacity crowd packing the stadium near the Danube, lightning and thunder crackled out and rain swept down on the spectators, the great majority of whom were without any shelter.
Aggresive spirit
Celtic had to play against these dreadful elements and Williams slipped as he took a goal kick. But Celtic showed encouraging signs of confidence as they got to the ball ahead of the purple-shirted Hungarians.
Celtic, however were giving away rather too many free kicks in dangerous position and Macari, harrying Ujpest's defence as hard as he could, more than once attracted the referee's displeasure.
Ujpest, straining to build a lead, came close twice to gaining one, yet Hood and Dalglish also had near things and Celtic were showing an aggressive spirit rare in this kind of game. But when Celtic took the lead in 19 minutes the goal came from absolutely nowhere.
Brogan pumped the ball forward hopefully and Horvath needlessly beaded the ball away and to his anguish beat his own goalkeeper all ends up.
It suddenly looked as if it had dawned on Celtic that, far from having merely survived the opening 20 minutes without loss, they might actually win. They began to open out and gained four corners. Hay lobbed a shot narrowly over the bar and Lennox scooped another over.
Ujpest looked far from solid in defence. Meanwhile Celtic's rearguard coped well and a shot by Horvath, from long range and straight at Williams, was their first direct one in the opening half-hour.
As the rain at last eased off Ujpest recovered their poise somewhat and only a great block by Williams prevented Bene from equalising. But just before half-time Celtic almost scored again, Dalglish slithering across the sodden turf and just failing to meet Hood's cross shot.
Frustrated
As the second half moved on Celtic continued to have matters more or less in hand. Ujpest were a frustrated side and they badly needed a goal to transform their chances of saving the game.
When it came, after 64 minutes, the goal was as unexpected as the first. Appropriately, too, it was Horvath, the culprit in the first half, who made up for his mistake when he suddenly unleashed a left-foot shot from 30 yards which beat Williams completely.
For the first time Celtic were under strain. For the last 20 minutes Ujpest substituted Nagy for Antal Dunai and Williams came into his own with two great saves, the second of which came from the ever-dangerous left foot of Horvath. Then a Bene header rolled agonisingly across the goal-line with no one there to touch the ball home.
But as the game went on Celtic recovered their composure and there was a wonderful display of precision possession football during which five corners in quick succession were won.
Then, to crown a glorious night, Celtic struck for the winning goal. Macari, who had battled away alone for most of the match at the spearhead of Celtic's attack, breasted down a Dalglish cross with his back to the goal, and before the Ujpest defence could gather their wits he had turned and slipped the ball Into the net.
Ujpest – Szentmihalyi; Nosko and Maurer, Juhasz; Ede Dunai and Horvath, Fazekas and Zambo, Bene, Antal Dunai and Toth.
Celtic—Williams; McGrain and Brogan; Murdoch McNeill and Connelly; Hood and Hay; Dalglish; Macari and Lennox.
Referee—H. Weyland (West Germany)
Sunday Mail, March 27, 2011
Celtic fan reveals night he met Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor after European clash
By Lauren Crooks
A CELTIC fan who charmed Elizabeth Taylor as a schoolboy says he is still to meet another woman who compares to her.Sean McKenna was a cheeky 10 year old when he won a kiss from the screen icon after meeting her on a trip to see Celtic play in Budapest.He still treasures the snapshot showing him with Elizabeth, who died last week, and then husband Richard Burton as they hold Celtic scarves and wear supporters' hats at a lavish party the couple threw for fans celebrating a European win in Hungary.
And after being tracked down by the Sunday Mail, Sean was happy to relive his memories of his unforgettable trip in March 1972.Burton is said to have put £5,000 behind the bar to pay for champagne and caviar after being invited to join the fans staying in the couple's hotel.And the Hollywood superstar planted a kiss on Sean's cheek when he handed her a bouquet of flowers.Now 49, Sean, from Wishaw in Lanarkshire, insists she is still the most beautiful woman he has ever met.He said: "I have never really found any woman as nice as her since, well looks wise anyway."When she came in with Richard Burton I have to admit I didn't have an inkling who they were. I had never really heard of them."But she was beautiful and everyone was making a fuss so I thought it was someone getting married."I was handed a bouquet of flowers and told to give them to the lady. It was a big corridor of folk all staring and I handed them over."She smiled at me and leaned down and kissed me on both cheeks.
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What I remember most is the smell of her, her perfume. It was fantastic."After she kissed me I remember looking up at her and just wondering who she was, she was so glamorous."
Sean remembers the day as if it was yesterday but wishes he had been old enough to enjoy the free alcohol.He said: "We were all in a huge ballroom and there was loads of food and drink."I remember this guy was sitting beside us and he was tucking into caviar, but he didn't know what it was, and said, 'Imagine having raspberry jam at a party like this'."Everybody was in great spirits, and it was a free bar. It's a pity I was 10."One guy even came up and asked for my autograph, just because I had met Liz and Richard."Someone started singing I Belong To Glasgow and lots of photos were taken with Celtic scarves and at one point Elizabeth Taylor was wearing a Celtic tammy as well."They were great with the fans, dancing along and chatting to people. I think Richard Burton had watched the game earlier. It wasn't until later that I realised they were film stars."
Sean went to Budapest to watch the 21 European Cup victory over Hungarian champions Ujpest Dozsa with his uncle Charlie Gorman, now 84.And the pair, along with more than 100 other Celtic followers, stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel, where Taylor and Burton were guests while Burton filmed Bluebeard.Liz and Burton had been unable to get to the game because of filming commitments but watched it on TV.And when they heard they were sharing a hotel with the fans, they immediately invited everybody to a party in the hotel lounge.The bash went on for more than eight hours and afterwards the couple became Celtic's most famous fans.Pictures show Liz wearing a little black dress, a huge diamond ring and a Celtic hat and scarf.
The party came a week after Burton threw a lavish bash in the hotel's nightclub to celebrate his wife's 40th birthday.But when Sean returned to Scotland, he found he was the celebrity.He said: "I was the talk of the town. My mum was so delighted, because she was a big fan."She put the photograph in a frame and it was up on the wall."Liz was admitted to hospital in February with symptoms related to heart failure.She was 79 when she died on Wednesday surrounded by her four children.
Sean said: "I always followed Liz in the media."She was some woman. It was one of my workmates that told me she had passed away."I have to admit my first thought was my Uncle Charlie. He is in hospital just now."It is quite ironic that she should die just as he is ill too, because he is the man that made it happen for me. It was because of him that I met her."It's still sad though, she made a lot of people happy."Meeting her was definitely a day to remember, and one of the best days of my life."
Evening Times 9th March 1972
Match Report from The (London) Times
