| Match Pictures | Matches: 1975 – 1976 | 1975-76 Pictures |
Trivia
- Having played out a goal less draw in Portugal the belief was on that Celtic would finish the tie in style. No one however was under any delusions that Boavista would be a push over. Celtic as ever prepared for the tie at Seamills.
- Sean Fallon delayed naming the team till just before the game. George McCluskey was retained and Paul Wilson dropped out with Jackie McNamara coming in.
- Celtic win 3-1 on aggregate.
- Celtic wear numbers on their hooped jerseys for the first time after an instruction from UEFA.
- Bookmakers make Celtic 1/3 on to win the tie.
- Boavista wear their distinctive chess board jerseys.
- Boavista manager Jose Maria Pedroto is currently the Portugal manager also.
- Highlights shown on Sportscene that night.
- Saint Etienne beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox on the night to go through in the European Cup.
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SHORT STORY
It took a while for the numbers to become a permanent fixture, in Scotland anyway, and even more so with Celtic. The numbers weren’t sanctioned until 1938, in England, but because of the war, the implementation slowed down. It wasn’t until 1950 every team in Scotland wore numbers, every team that was except Celtic. Bob Kelly resisted the trend, claiming it would deface the distinctive look of the hoops, and Desmond White, would later argue the jersey “did not lend itself to numbers”. Celtic did, however, made an effort to comply in 1960 when they, rather unusually at that time, introduced numbers on their shorts for a friendly match against Sparta Rotterdam on May 14, which the Hoops won 5-1.
MELLOW YELLOW
While the Boavista game may have been the first official game with numbered Hoops, it wasn’t the first time numbers were worn on the jerseys, Celtic actually tried it in 1960 in the Anglo-Franco-Scottish Friendship Cup. In a match against Sedan, in France, the players wore yellow numbers, but in a horrible clash with the green and white hoops, especially under the floodlights, it was virtually impossible to read them. Its lack of success gave the club even more reason to stick to their numbered shorts, a trend they were to become famous for. Indeed, one of the many distinguishing features that made Celtic such a unique institution in football was the fact that, until the early 1990s, numbers were only worn on the shorts.
Review
From the Daily Record, the next morning…
After the kind of opening that teams in Europe only dream about, Celtic ended on the tight-rope of a single goal lead. They stayed there from the 36th minute, when Boavista scored their only goal through their Brazilian star Mane, until the 85th minute when Dixie deans ended the pressure with a killer goal.
Up to then Celtic had all the play – Deans and Dalglish had both hit the post, but somehow they were left defending a one-goal lead – knowing that another away goal for the Portuguese meant that they had tumbled out of Europe. It meant a second half of tension which should never have been, for Celtic were ahead of Boavista in almost every aspect of the game. They did what they set out to do. they pushed men forward into attack and they looked for goals – and goals came.
In 35 seconds Dalglish scored the first with a half-hearted try from the left. Portuguese goalkeeper Botelho went for the ball, fumbled it and then allowed it to drop over the line.
In 20 minutes Barbosa joined him with a mistake which allowed Celtic to score their second goal, Andy Lynch sent in a free kick, Barbosa miss-hit his clearance and Edvaldsson was there to hammer in a low shot.
But in 36 minutes the game changed. Mane fastened on to a ball 20 yards from goal and blasted a shot past Peter Latchford. It was the first goal Latchford had lost in Europe.
At the start of the second half Zezinho replaced Acacio as they realised that the game was finely balanced once again. Celtic were still in control – but they had to show caution, and also they showed fear.
Then, with just five minutes left, Dixie Deans grabbed the goal which mattered. Dalglish sent him away on the right. He looked offside but went on to the ball confidently and, as the keeper came out, lofted it over him and into the net. Botelho protested wildly, raced to the linesman and was booked. He was the second Portuguese player to be cautioned. Goal-scorer Mane was also booked for a foul on Danny McGrain in 50 minutes.
It was a good result for Celtic. They did what they had to do and with some luck could have dine it with a lot more to spare.
Dalglish was the star and young McCluskey looked as promising as he had in his debut on Saturday and was now getting plaudits as an up and coming star.
Teams
Celtic:
Latchford, McGrain, Lynch, P McCluskey, MacDonald, Edvaldsson, G McCluskey, Dalglish, Deans, McNamara, Callaghan (Lennox 70) Subs: Hunter Glavin Wilson Hood
Goals:- Dalglish (35 secs), Edvaldsson (20), Deans (85).
Boavista:-
Botelho, Trinidade, Mario Joao, Carolino, Tai, Barbosa, Alves, Francisco Mario, Mane, salvador, Acacio (Zezinho 45).
Goal:- Mane (36).
Booked:- Mane, Botelho
Referee: Einbeck (East Germany)
Attendance: 37,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
