| Match Pictures | Matches: 1993 – 1994 | 1993-94 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic play in unusual mix strip of green/black stripes, white shorts, black socks.
Review
Teams
Young Boys:
Kovel; Rotzetter, Reich, Weber, Moser, Baumann, Kunz, Bregy, Nowak, Ippoliti (Porfido, 89min), Sutter (Agostino, 66).
Celtic:
Bonner; Boyd, Wdowczyk, Grant, McNally, Galloway, McGinlay, McStay, Payton (Creaney, 66), Nicholas, Collins (O'Neil, 60).
Referee: I Vad (Hungary).
Att: 7,300
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Articles
“Celtic draw little comfort”
The Guardian (London, England) (Sept 15, 1993)
Byline: Our Correspondent in Berne
Young Boys Berne 0 Celtic 0
CELTIC's comfortable night at the Wankdorf Stadium here could mean a hard time for Young Boys when the two sides meet again at Parkhead for the second leg in two weeks time. Their composure ensured that the trip made by Celtic fans, who comprised around one third of the 7,300 crowd, was worthwhile and it means at least four times last night's total will watch the return. Celtic's unimpressive recent record in Europe – one victory and six defeats – was never likely to breed overconfidence, but there were enough early signs of soundness in their approach to suggest they would not be intimidated by it. The willingness of McStay, Payton and Nicholas to fire at will stemmed from playing on a surface of long grass made slippery by rain. Nicholas almost capitalised with a raking 30-yard drive that slithered a yard wide of the right-hand post. Although McStay shot over from the loose ball after Payton's effort had been blocked, the regularity with which Celtic foraged in their opponents' area was encouraging for the travelling support. The threat from the Swiss side took a long time to materialise and there was a notable lack of imagination among their forwards when they moved into a menacing position. But Kunz should have done better than head a clever chip from Nowak a yard over the bar and the supplier of that opportunity was even more culpable close to half-time when, having gathered Bregy's pass unchallenged inside the area, he sent the ball wide of Bonner's right-hand post. Celtic's pressure almost produced a goal when Payton robbed Baumann on the left, moved inside to create a better angle and brought a diving save from Kobel with a 20-yard drive. Nicholas then twisted past two defenders before sending a swerving shot just wide of the left-hand post with the Swiss goalkeeper well beaten. That scare brought a reply from Young Boys and Bonner had to be lively to save Nowak's powerful low shot from the edge of the area. Soon afterwards Celtic lost Collins, who was carried off after a bad tackle from Ippoliti, and Payton, who had pulled a hamstring in a race for the ball, five minutes later. Celtic's manager Liam Brady said the resullt gave his side a good chance of reaching the second round, but he was concerned about the toll the match had taken. 'It has been a costly night. Collins has a knee injury and it looks like a bad one. He will go to hospital as soon as we get home tomorrow and he will see a specialist. Payton's hamstring means he will be out for three or four weeks.'