| Match Pictures | Matches: 1979 – 1980 | 1979-80 Pictures |
Trivia
- There had been a degree of concern at Celtic when it was learned that even on the Saturday before the game the Albanians had yet to apply to the Home Office for visas for the visiting party. However, they duly arrived in Glasgow on the Tuesday. Celtic prepared as ever for the game by heading off to Seamills. All the Celtic first team were fit and ready.
- Concern at half time when the Albanians take an eternity to come out for the second half.
- Game played in incessant rain.
- Davie Provan has the game of his life and creates all four goals.
- Tirana goalkeeper named Mustafa. Press headlines next day say 'Mustafa missed every corner.'
- McCluskey missed a penalty.
- Bookmakers giving odds of 10/1 for Partizan to win on the night.
- Sammy Ozen from Fort William, an Alabanian ex pat and Celtic fan of 10 years standing, assists Celtic by being the club's interpreter.
- Partick Thistle say stand tickets for Celtic's trip to Firhill on Saturday are now on sale priced £2.20.
- Davie Hay announced his retirement at Chelsea having failed to overcome knee and eye injuries. He became one of the youth team trainers at Chelsea.
Review
Celtic were stunned by the loss of a goal in 15 minutes. Alan Sneddon misjudged a high ball into the area and headed into his own net with Latchford out of position.
Celtic refused to be put down and scored four goals in 24 minutes. Firstly, Tom McAdam headed a Provan free kick back across goal for Roddy MacDonald to head home. Two minutes later they were level on aggregate when Doyle took a short corner to Provan who picked out Aitken with a great cross for the midfielder to score.
In 30 minutes Celtic went ahead in the tie after Vic Davidson scored at the back post from another Provan corner with the Albanian defence in a state of total confusion.
Four minutes later George McCluskey was scythed down in the penalty area and the same player took the penalty and blasted the ball over the bar. At this stage Celtic looked likely to score with every attack.
A minute before half time Celtic all but sealed the tie when Provan, who was in unstoppable form, pierced the Partizan defence with a great run and cross on the right wing for Aitken to head home his second goal.
The Albanian side took some time to appear for the second half and were given a loud, humourous roar when they did eventually turn out. Tirana looked nervous every time a cross came into their area but as the game wore on Celtic took their foot off the gas and Latchford made a couple of decent saves before time up.
Teams
Celtic:
Latchford, Sneddon, McGrain, Aitken, MacDonald, McAdam, Provan, Davidson, McCluskey (Lennox), MacLeod, Doyle. Subs: Bonner, Conroy, Burns, Edvaldsson
Scorers:- MacDonald (20), Aitken 2 (22, 44), Davidson (30)
Partizan Tirana:
Musta, Bachi, Cocoli, Starova, Berisha, Ahmeti, Braho, Lame, Breta, Murati, Ballighini (Hado)
Scorer:- Sneddon og (15)
Referee: Bjorck (Sweden)
Attendance: 51,000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 4th October 1979
