26 September is a historic day in the history books for the Hoops. It is the day that they competed in their first ever European fixture on a rain-soaked Wednesday night in Valencia…
The inaugural European match on this day in 1962 for Celtic was one to forget. The Los Che Chotos ran out 4-2 winners having been 3-0 up inside 35 minutes. It was all very Celtic in Europe… ‘
As the teams ran out, the rain splashed down, which was rare as there had been no rain in Valencia for a few months. As the heavens opened, so too did the floodgates. It only took the Spaniards nine minutes to breakthrough Jimmy McGrory’s defence.
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Playing in the Fairs Cities Cup, it was one of UEFA’s first official competitions. The Fairs Cities Cup is the modern day Europa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.
There was no messing about from McGrory who dropped big personalities for the match. The reason is unknown. It surely was not a tactical decision to drop Hughes, Murdoch and Johnny Divers? The manager also made a huge call in goals. Frank Haffey who had become a mainstay in the Celtic starting XI was dropped for John Fallon.
The Celtic side (all 21 of them) had travelled two days prior to the game, flying direct from Renfrew. The team were still in flight mode as by half-time there was no way back. 4-1 down after 45 minutes, the game was done when the first interval had come and quickly gone.
Two other Scottish clubs were competing on the same night with Celtic. Dundee were thrashed 4-0 by FC Cologne in the 2nd leg of their European Cup tie. They had still done enough though as they had humiliated the Germans 8-1 in the 1st leg at Dens Park. Rangers featured in the Cup Winners Cup on the Wednesday night also. Similarly to Dundee, despite being beaten on the night, the Ibrox side edged past Seville 4-2 on aggregate.
If ever you are involved in a Celtic related quiz, you will be able to flex the answer to this question. Who scored the Hoops first ever European goal? The answer is Bobby Carroll. Carroll is also the answer to who scored the second goal for Celtic in Europe. He reduced the deficit by grabbing a brace at the Mestalla.
Historical analysis done on the game has argued that Celtic were unjustly defeated. Stevie Chalmers was said to have had a goal ruled out for offside wrongfully and McGrory’s side were also denied two blatant penalties.
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The first Celtic side to play a game on the continent was: Fallon, MacKay, Kennedy, Crerand, McNeill, O’Neill, Chalmers, Jackson, Carroll, Gallacher, Byrne.
As Celtic’s first game in Europe ended in defeat, the lasting-legacy of the Hoops would be magnified by winning the European Cup just five years later. The side of 1962 are now immersed into the history books of the club.
Conor Spence
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