Ten years ago today, Celtic took on Udinese at Paradise and were scuppered in their quest for victory in the Europa League by a dubious penalty decision. South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng put the Hoops ahead, after Gary Hooper was fouled in the Italians penalty box. However, before the end the referee would bizzarely gift Udinese their own penalty which defied belief.
In Neil Lennon’s second season we would be paired with, Udinese, Atletico Madrid and Stade Rennais in the group stages of the Europa League. Celtic were gifted a reprieve by Uefa this year and allowed to enter the Europa League by default. This was at the expense of Sion, who fielded an ineligible player against the Bhoys. A backdoor entry was taken and Celtic tested themselves against strong opposition in the Europa League.
Ultimately, it would prove to be too strong though, as Celtic never made it beyond the group stages in 2011 sadly. Just six points from a possible eighteen was not enough to see us go on another European adventure. However, these matches would prepare the players for the next year’s Champions League in which we showed European competition what we were capable of; beating Spartak Moscow home and away, while scalping Barcelona at Celtic Park in what was the Club’s 125 year anniversary.
Oh how we miss those Champions League nights under the lights. But in the meantime, remind yourself of the goals from the Udinese game below…
10 years ago today, Celtic 1:1 Udinese.
Ki with our goal. Udinese get a nonsense penalty in the final minutes. pic.twitter.com/ULYhUPZRB9
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) September 28, 2021
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