1979-09-19: Partizan Tirana 1-0 Celtic, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 1979 – 1980 | 1979-1980 Pictures

Trivia

European Cup, First Round, First Leg. KO 19:30 local time, 17.30 UK time.
There is some discrepancy on the date of the first game against Partizan. Some sites and sources have it as 19/9/79 and others have 10/9/79. The correct date is 19/9/79.
There was also some concern prior to the away leg as to whether Danny McGrain would have to remove his beard. Apparently in Albania men were not allowed to sport beards for religious reasons but Danny`s beard survived the razor and he had no problems
There had been a deal of controversy about this game almost from the start when Celtic were drawn against them. The main problem was the number of visas issued by the Albanian authorities. Celtic asked for 50. They finally received 36 with no visas for the Press. An initial airline charter with Yugoslav Airlines fell through and a second air charter had to be arranged. Throughout this UEFA were seen to be dithering. There was very little information about the Albanian team and Albania was very much a country behind closed doors at this time.
Celtic did not take food hampers for fear of offending the Albanians. However individual players took their own food. Danny McGrain brought a loaf, a pack of gammon and a a dozen tea bags. Tommy Burns brough a tin of beans – and a tin opener.
Game played in the Qemel Staffa stadium, named after the founder of the Albanian communist party.
Admission prices were 7 pence, 14 pence and 21 pence in British money.
Several thousand Albanians watched Celtic train before the match and stood in respectful silence throughout.
Instead of a pennant the Albanians presented Celtic with a book on Albanian architecture before the match.
Desmond White made a plea in the Scots' press for an Albanian interpreter for the second leg. Eventually Celtic are contacted by Pauline Phillips, a London lecturer, who spoke Albanian, much to their relief.
Scottish press men not allowed to travel to report on the game and Celtic officials were employed as part time journalists to send reports back to UK newspapers.
Celtic took the precaution of inviting SFA secretary Ernie Walker in their travelling party.

Review

Celtic started slowly in the searing heat and Partizan opened the scoring when Murati rose to head home a great cross by Shyqriu as Latchford appeared to be blinded by the low sun.

George McCluskey was not 100% fit having picked up a knee injury in the previous game against Hibernian and was replaced by John Doyle in 55 minutes. After that Celtic had their best spell with Doyle sending in a powerful shot which was touched over by Musta after good work by MacLeod and Provan. From the resultant corner Aitken's header was cleared off the line.

After Conroy had a great chance and shot wide Vic Davidson scored from a Provan cutback only to be ruled offside, a decision which infuriated the Celtic players and officials.

In the closing seconds Danny McGrain was booked for deliberate hand ball after a Partizan break down the right flank.

Celtic regarded themselves as unlucky not to come away with at least a draw and were confident of winning the second leg at Parkhead.