| Match Pages: 1983 1984 | Match Pics |
Trivia
-
UEFA Cup, 2nd Rnd 2nd Leg
- Stand was all ticket only.
- Celtic overturn a first leg 2-0 deficit, Celtic win 5-2 in aggregate.
- Sporting Lisbon manager Jozef Venglos would become Celtic’s head coach in 1998.
- This was the second team Celtic had overturned a two goal first leg deficit. The first was against Saint Ettiene in 1968.
- Great night for Scots football as Celtic win, Aberdeen beat Beveren, Dundee United beat Standard Liege but Rangers crash out to Porto.
Review
Celtic played in their new lime green strip at Parkhead for the first time and gave one of their greatest European performances for years. They attacked Sporting from the beginning and Celtic did not have a bad player in their entire team.
McGarvey turned and crossed for Burns to open the scoring and McAdam made it two after the Sporting keeper missed a cross from Provan.
McClair’s spectacular solo effort on the stroke of half time send Parkhead delerious and the only worry after that was that one away goal for Sporting would tak ethen through.
However Celtic carried on in the second half with further goals from MacLeod and McGarvey and McClair had another disallowed. Celtic created numerous chances and were winners in every area of the field.
The performance and atmosphere on the night were reminiscent of the Stein glory nights of the 60’s and 70’s.
Teams
Celtic:
Bonner, McGrain, Sinclair, Aitken, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan, P McStay, McGarvey (Melrose 86), Burns (Reid 75), McClair Subs: Latchford W McStay Halpin
Goals:- Burns (4), McAdam (43), McClair (45), MacLeod (85), McGarvey (86)
Sporting Lisbon:
Katrirz, Gabriel, Jorge (Carlos Xavier), Kostov, Virgilio, Zezinho, Lieto, Romeu, Fernandez, Olivera, Jordao
Referee: A Ponnet (Belgium)
Attendance:- 39,183.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
Video
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times 3rd November 1983
Match Report
Who could have forecast such a turnout after Celtic’s recent results. Perhaps it was Celtic’s latest win, 5-1 over Hibs. Perhaps it was the thought that Celtic teams always turn it on when it is really needed and that they’d do so to overcome a 2-0 first leg defeat. Perhaps it was just straight forward loyalty.
Whatever, the fans turned out and got exactly what they deserved during a ninety minute encounter when Celtic just kept going forward and gave no rest to the Portuguese defence. Apart from the five goals, we saw several hurried clearances.
Celtic played in their new two-tone green strip as the visitors turned out in a green and white hooped jersey, black shorts and green and white socks. By the end of the match, fans could be heard to mutter “That’ll teach them to wear the hoops” and as players swapped jerseys it was as if the Celtic players were claiming their right to the familiar strip.
The match added up to a brilliant performance, one to equal any European encounter seen at Celtic Park. There now no past glories to look back on, this team have proved that they can do it themselves.
The quality of the team was shown in the performances of individuals that led to a complete team performance. Tommy Burns returned to his outstanding best, Brian McClair came of age and made his mark on the game and in the affections of the fans. At the back Tom macadam and Danny McGrain were splendid. How can we leave out players like Roy Aitken or Davie Provan? Quite simply, everyone was outstanding, there were no heroes – because every player deserved praise.
The match really erupted in the 17th minute when Burns headed Celtic into the lead. Provan sent a great pass down the right to McGarvey who turned to leave the Sporting Defence standing and crossed for Burns to head in.
Only minutes earlier Burns had shown that he’d make a contribution to the match with a pass that split the defence and saw the ‘keeper stretch to save a shot from McStay.
At this stage Sporting refused to admit that they were going out and one notable attack resulted in Romen cutting inside McGrain and shooting just past.
Two minutes before half time, Celtic drew level on aggregate. After relentless pressure, Celtic won a corner. Provan sent his cross over everyone to McAdam who chested the ball down and precisely cracked it into the net.
Before the fans could stop the jubilation Celtic went ahead on aggregate, right on the stroke of half time. The goal was a worthy winner in any European tie.
Another magnificent pass from Burns sent McClair clear of the Sporting defence and he ran all of 30-yards before drawing the ‘keeper and bravely beating him to the ball to knock it into the net.
Celtic started the second half just as they’d finished the first, on the offensive. There were no signs of trying to hold on to a slender lead, they wanted to build on it – to make sure of qualifying for round three.
Within a minute of the restart good work between McGrain and Provan saw the captain cross into the box for McClair to head down to McGarvey. He shot towards an open goal, but Sporting defender, Gabriel, got to the line to keep the score as it was.
In the 85th minute, though, MacLeod gave Celtic their fourth. McGarvey collected the ball from MacLeod and sent in a low cross which was met by McStay and turned out for MacLeod to shoot home from seven yards.
The fifth came within a minute. Again it was a long range Burns pass which beat the Sporting defence and this time McGarvey ran on to the ball to shoot over a diving ‘keeper.
