| Match Pictures | Matches: 1992 – 1993 | 1992-93 Pictures |
Trivia
- UEFA Cup, Second Leg
- Celtic progress in Europe on a memorable European night (a very rare occurrence in the 90s).
- Celtic turnaround a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate.
- FC Cologne manager resigns soon after.
- Possibly, Celtic's only real high point in European football competition in the 1990s. Granted many look at the 1997-98 defeat to Liverpool as a good note, we still lost that albeit on away goals.
Review
This match was an unlikely turnaround for a struggling Celtic side.
Having lost the first match in Germany 2-0 it seemed unlikely Celtic would be able to progress in the tournament.
An early goal from Gerry Creaney set them on their way. John Collins cut in from the left and fired a shot toward goal which Creaney managed to get a touch on and direct into the net. Paul McStay soon added another with the help of a deflection.
In the second-half Celtic were pressing forward but when the third and clinching goal came, it came late. John Collins went round one man and cut in from the left before firing in a low shot from an angle that allowed Celtic to complete a remarkable win and progress to the second round.
Teams
Celtic:
Marshall, McNally, Boyd, Grant, Mowbray, Galloway, Slater (Miller 55), McStay, Payton (Fulton 88), Creaney, Collins
Celtic scorers: McStay (36), Creaney (39), Collins (80)
1.FC Cologne:
Illgner, Higl, Greiner, Baumann, Jensen, Rudy, Heldt, Steinmaan (Fuchs, 53), Keuler (Littbarski, 58), Weiser, Ordenewitz
Referee: Goethals (BELGIUM)
Att: 30,747
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Report
"European Football: Collins sparks Celtic rapture: Brady revels in reversal"
PHIL SHAW THE INDEPENDENT
Thursday, 1 October 1992
Celtic . . .3 Cologne. . .0
(Celtic win 3-2 on aggregate)
CELTIC'S followers supplied the sound and their players the fury as Cologne, armed with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Germany, were swept out of the Uefa Cup at Parkhead last night. On the kind of epic European night their more pessimistic supporters feared had gone forever, John Collins completed a thrilling Celtic fightback 10 minutes from time with his team's third goal. High quality effort it was too, making the former Hibernian midfielder's omission from recent Scotland squads all the more mystifying.
That prompted furious retaliation by Cologne, in which Frank Greiner had what would have been a decisive away goal disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Gordon Marshall. But Celtic survived, and as the disbelieving Germans trudged off, the crowd danced on the terraces and roared out a cacophonous, gloating 'cheerio'.
Such triumphalism had been inconveivable during the early stages, when Cologne's brisk counter-attacking threatened to undermine the home side's already fragile confidence. Liam Brady, the Celtic manager, conceded as much afterwards, saying: 'Prior to the first goal, we looked nervous and they were the better team, but goals change attitudes.' His opposite number, Jorg Berger, said: 'Celtic won because they fought to the end. They showed us what fighting is all about.' The moment which restored Celtic's self-belief came in the 36th minutes. When Cologne failed to clear a corner from the left, the ball fell Paul McStay's way. From just inside the penalty area, Celtic's captain instantaneously volleyed it back past Bodo Illgner.
The decibel level promptly soared and Celtic responded by levelling the aggregate scores three minutes later. Collins, receiving on the left angle of the penalty area, unleashed a vicious rising drive which Gerry Creaney deflected into the net with Illgner rooted to his line. Illgner, who has lost his place in the national team during Cologne's slide to the bottom of the Bundesliga, did not come under the expected pressure in the second half.
Once again, however, as the optimism was starting to subside, Collins struck, taking a throw-in from Tom Boyd and advancing past two attempted tackles.
The path to goal suddenly opened and he placed his low shot beyond Illgner into the far corner of the net. The glow of wellbeing which enveloped Parkhead was such that the hero of the night could afford not to dispute Creaney's claim to the second goal. 'He's a forward,' Collins laughed. 'What do you expect?'
His greatest game – John Collins – Celtic 3-0 Cologne 1992
http://www.thecelticwiki.com/1992-09-30%3A+Celtic+3-0+FC+Cologne,+UEFA+Cup
Celtic faced a tall order when the German giants, IFC Cologne, came to Celtic Park for this UEFA cup second leg tie. In Germany, Celtic had played poorly, and were lucky to escape with a 2-0 defeat. Liam Brady’s side were now under great pressure to claw back Cologne’s lead and they were not fancied to do so.
Cologne had been consistent European performers during the 1980’s and their team consisted of the German international goalkeeper, Bodo Illgner, and the renowned forward, Pierre Littbarski, who had played with distinction for West Germany in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. They also had striker, Frank Ordenewicz, who had put Celtic to the sword with Werder Bremen in 1988, so this game was seen as a tall order for the Celts.
John Collins was at the peak of his powers as a Celtic player and the fans put their faith in his midfield partnership with Paul McStay to turn things around, with Brady fielding his recent signings, Stuart Slater and Andy Payton, in order to strengthen his side.
Celtic attacked from the start and Cologne looked happy to soak up Celtic’s attacks, and they did so comfortably until the 36th minute. Tom Boyd sent over a high cross which was headed down to McStay, to crack a perfect left volley past the despairing Illgner.
Celtic now had their backs up and Parkhead exploded when they levelled the tie, three minutes later. Collins made space and struck a ferocious shot, which looked goal bound, and Gerry Creaney cleverly diverted the ball into the net to make sure.
In the second half Celtic played a more cautious game, conscious of the fact that a Cologne away goal would kill the tie. With ten minutes left, John Collins took a hand in matters. Tom Boyd showed great initiative to take a quick throw on the left flank, and found Collins. John cleverly jinked past a German defender and as the Cologne defence closed him down, he slid in to stab the ball home, just inside Illgner’s left hand post.
This was a tremendous goal and a great piece of inspiration from the Celtic midfield man and the Celtic crowd went mad with delight. Cologne then brought on the veteran Littbarski, and attacked desperately in order to save the tie, but Celtic defended resolutely. With minutes remaining Cologne did score, but Celtic goalkeeper, Gordon Marshall, was clearly fouled and Parkhead breathed a sigh of relief when the Belgian referee, Guy Goethals, blew for a clear infringement on the Celtic ‘keeper.
Celtic prevailed and the fans celebrated loudly at full time. This was a brief respite for Liam Brady during his troubled reign as Celtic manager, and he was full of praise for John Collin’s superb performance afterwards. The Cologne manager, Jorg Berger, chose to praise Celtic’s spirit on the night: ‘Celtic won because they fought to the end. They showed us what fighting is all about.’