In the euphoria of the Sporting performance, Celtic players and fans once again began to dream of a lengthy run in the tournament. These dreams were dashed by Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest, who Celtic met in the third round. Celtic were the better side in the first leg at the City Ground and should have come away with more than a 0-0 draw.
Celtic fans at the UEFA Cup match at City Ground Nottingham in November 1983. Photo The Celtic Wiki
The second leg on 7 December was watched by an all-ticket crowd of 67,000. Forest were a far more experienced side than Celtic at this level, and they had learned their lesson from the first match. Celtic started well without ever reaching the heights seen against Sporting, but Forest adapted quickly, using their tactical awareness to frustrate and nullify Celtic’s efforts.
Then, in the second half, they showed their quality on the counter by scoring twice from quick breakaways. The first, in 54 minutes, came after a long run down the right by Steve Wigley, who crossed into the box for Steve Hodge to score past Bonner. The second, twenty minutes later, came after another long run, this time by Peter Davenport down the left. His cross was met perfectly by Scottish Under 21 internationalist and one-time Celtic fan Colin Walsh to effectively kill the match and the tie. A late Murdo MacLeod goal was no consolation for the massive deflation felt by the Celtic players and fans.
07/12/83 UEFA CUP THIRD ROUND SECOND LEG CELTIC V NOTTINGHAM FOREST (1-2)
Murdo MacLeod retrives the ball from the back of the net after pulling a goal back for Celtic late in the game.
It must be remembered that Forest at that time were a very decent side. Their victory at Celtic Park was their third consecutive away victory in that season’s UEFA Cup. They would go on to reach the semi-final, where they would lose 2-3 on aggregate to Anderlecht in highly controversial circumstances. Years later, it would be discovered that the referee for the decisive second leg had been bribed. To this day, this remains a source of anger for Forest fans old enough to remember.
Regardless of Forest’s strengths, the overriding feeling among Celtic fans was one of supreme disappointment. Yet again, Celtic had failed to progress in Europe. Yet again, they had fallen just short when coming up against a well-organised and tactically aware side.
There was still a feeling that, with just a bit of luck, Celtic could make a real impact in European competition soon. Unfortunately, luck – and natural justice – would desert Celtic the following season, when they would be on the receiving end of one of the worst decisions ever made by UEFA…
We’ll talk about that next time.
James McDevitt
Loving the ‘Celtic in the Eighties’ memories? Well don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain , who also wrote the foreword for Celtic in the Eighties. And you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, plus you’ll only be charged for postage on one book. Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.
Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star
Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!
Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.
Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books
Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ORDER…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.
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