| Match Pictures | Matches: 1993 – 1994 | 1993-94 Pictures |
Trivia
- Frank Connor was temporary manager at Celtic at this point
- Undefeated run continues for Frank Connor, an excellent short run.
- Future Celt Jorge Cadete stars for Sporting.
- Days of Sack the Board which is increasing in tension.
- A then rare victory over European opposition, which was an exceptional achievement for what was then an ailing first team.
Review
The bigger picture may have been doom and gloom at Celtic, but Frank Connor didn't seem to notice. In his short spell he managed four games unbeaten, and this was his third.
A cracking victory in European football, and taking in how he has rallied the team in its state is incredible.
In round two, Celtic were paired with Sporting Lisbon, the first leg of which was played at Celtic Park on the evening of this day in 1993. Frank Connor was in temporary charge of the team which on that night was Bonner, Grant, Gillespie, Mowbray, Boyd, Byrne, McStay, McGinlay, Collins, Creaney, Nicholas.
The attendance on the night was given as 31,321 and, as was usual at that time, shouts of ‘Sack the Board’ reverberated round the ground at regular intervals.
Celtic took the lead through Gerry Creaney in the 8th minute but from then on, the Portuguese side always looked the more dangerous, with striker Jorge Cadete in particular proving a handful for the Celtic defence. However, when the final whistle blew, that solitary goal was enough to give Celtic victory, although it was a narrow lead to take to Lisbon for the second leg.
Teams
Celtic:- (4-4-2):
Bonner; Grant, Gillespie, Mowbray, Boyd; Byrne (O'Neil, 83), McGinlay, McStay, Collins; Creaney, Nicholas.
Goal:- Creaney (9)
Sporting Lisbon:- (3-5-2):
Costinha; Peixe, Valckx, Torres; Alves, Rocha (Figo, 72), Scherbakov, Sousa, Pacheco; Cadete, Balakov.
Referee:- B Heynemann (Germany).
Att:- 31.321
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
THE INDEPENDENT
DAVID MCKINNEY
Thursday, 21 October 1993
Celtic. . . . . . 1
CELTIC look certain to appoint Lou Macari as their manager within the next couple of days after Michael Kelly, the Celtic director, revealed yesterday that the club have agreed compensation with Stoke City and have received permission to approach their manager.
If he agrees terms, Macari will face a baptism of fire on his return to Scottish football after 20 years in England, with his first game in charge probably being the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on 30 October.
Celtic face a precarious journey to Portugal in two weeks' time for the second leg of this second-round Uefa Cup tie, having claimed a slender lead courtesy of a Gerry Creaney strike on nine minutes. However, on the evidence of Sporting's performance here, Celtic's advantage appears totally inadequate to see them safely into the next round.
There was quality enough about Bobby Robson's side, playing within themselves, to serve as a warning to Celtic. Several sweeping moves deserved a better fate than a defender's clearance.
Nevertheless, Creaney's early goal was well-taken. The striker controlled a Paul Byrne pass with his chest on the edge of the penalty area and swept a powerful shot past the goalkeeper. However, Celtic were to pass up two excellent chances in that first half, misses which might well haunt them.
John Collins, in space at the angle of the area, shot disappointingly wide after 26 minutes and, 10 minutes later, Creaney ran through but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he pulled his shot wide. From the stand it seemed an easier chance than the one he had converted.
The visitors increasingly made life difficult for Celtic and but for poor finishing and a couple of good saves from Pat Bonner they might well have scored themselves.
