02/11/83 UEFA CUP 2nd ROUND 2nd LEG CELTIC V SPORTING LISBON (5-0) (5-2 agg) Celtic’s Tommy Burns (right) opens the scoring with a header past
Playing with pace, power and skill, Celtic launched into attack from the outset. After 17 minutes, Tommy Burns headed home a cross from McGarvey. Two more goals just before half time sent the crowd into rhapsodies and left Sporting dazed and shell-shocked.
In 43 minutes, Tom McAdam controlled a Provan corner and volleyed into the net. Then, two minutes later, and with the raucous celebrations still in full swing, Brian McClair latched on to a clever pass from Burns, created space for himself and then bore down on the goalkeeper. He finished clinically, and the noise level rose even higher.
02/11/83 UEFA CUP 2nd ROUND 2nd LEG CELTIC V SPORTING LISBON (5-0) (5-2 agg)
CELTIC PARK -GLASGOW Celtic’s Tom McAdam (top) out jumps Virgilio
02/11/83 UEFA CUP SECOND ROUND CELTIC V SPORTING LISBON (5-0)
Celtic’s Brian McClair (right) celebrates his goal with teammates Frank McGarvey, Paul McStay and Davie Provan
Just after McClair’s goal, the whistle sounded for half time. It was greeted by deafening cheers. The Celtic fans were in raptures and the Sporting players looked absolutely stunned. The first half had been literally breathless, for players and spectators alike.
In the TV highlights on Scotsport later that night, commentator Arthur Montford prefaced the half time break by saying, “I certainly need a break. I’m sure you do too!”
Despite the euphoria, the tie was still delicately balanced. Celtic were 3-2 ahead on aggregate but one goal from Sporting would restore their advantage. Thankfully, and unusually, Celtic started the second half as they had ended the first, continuing to charge forward with speed and purpose.
Murdo MacLeod makes it 4-0 to Celtic against Sporting Lisbon. Photo The Celtic Wiki
In 58 minutes, MacLeod made it 4-0 on the night and then, a minute later, McGarvey scored number five after he ran on to a long pass from Burns. Even at 5-0 up, Celtic continued to threaten and could have added more goals.
Celtic celebrations after Frank McGarvey made it 5-0 to Celtic
Chick Young, never one for understatement, summed it up in the Evening Times: “Celtic conjured up as glittering a performance ever seen in their diamond-studded European heritage.” For once, Chick was not guilty of hyperbole. It was indeed one of Celtic’s best-ever European performances and demonstrated the quality of which the players were capable.
It could be argued that it was the finest-ever performance by Tommy Burns, Brian McClair, Davie Provan and Frank McGarvey. However, it was above all a supreme team performance, and one wonders why this side could not produce similar on a more regular basis.
Although I lived in London at the time, I was at both legs of the Sporting tie. In fact the away leg was my first time on a plane! After the first leg the waiter in our hotel asked what the score would be in the return leg and I told him we would win 5-0. He laughed of course