Celtic has a proud record in the European Cup and despite last night’s heavy defeat in Dortmund, the Scottish Champions under Brendan Rodgers are looking to make an impact on the newly re-formatted Champions League this season…
Last night was tough watching so here are seven magnificent Celtic wins that supporters cherish like special family occasions or maybe a memorable casino win, there’s just nothing else that matches a massive Celtic triumph in the European Cup, the Champions League group stages of now in the newly formatted Champions League were all the top teams play eight matches in the one gigantic group.
1. Celtic 2-1 Inter Milan, European Cup Final, May 1967
Celtic had never played in the European Cup, these days known as The Champions League until season 1966-67. Jock Stein’s exciting team, all born within 40 miles of Paradise, defeats Zurich, Nantes, Vojvodina and Dukla Prague to reach the final against strong favourites Inter Milan who had twice won Europe’s premier club competition. Over 12,000 Celtic supporters travelled to Lisbon for the Final and despite an early set-back when the Italians scored from the penalty spot, Celtic dominated the match with an all-out attacking that Inter simply couldn’t handle. Goals from Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers won it for Celtic but the final score of Celtic 2 Inter Milan 1 didn’t do justice to the wonderful Celtic performance. Not that the jubilant Celtic support were complaining!
2. Celtic 2-1 Leeds United, April 1970
The ultimate Battle of Britain between former European Cup winners Celtic and the highly rated English Champions Leeds Utd. Celtic were a goal up from the first leg at Ellen Road but Stirling born Billy Bremner levelled the tie early in the match at Hampden, the game had been moved to the national stadium in Glasgow to accommodate the demand for tickets with this European Cup semi-final having an official attendance of 133,961. Leeds came out for the second half with their lead intact but with the tie level at 1-1. Had it stayed that way the teams would have meet for a third time at Hillsborough in Sheffield in a play-off. That wasn’t necessary though as goals from John Hughes, who had missed the 1967 European Cup final through injury and Bobby Murdoch gave Celtic the victory and a place in the final in Milan against Dutch Champions Feyenoord.
3. Celtic 2-0 Real Madrid, March 1980
By 1980 Billy McNeill, the legendary Celtic captain who lifted the European Cup in 1967, was now the manager of Celtic and in the European Cup quarter final Celtic faced the mighty Spanish Champions Real Madrid at Celtic Park in the first leg of the tie.
Celtic’s European prowess of the late 1960s and 1970s began to decline as the 1980s rolled around but not before they pulled off a famous victory against a Spanish giant. Real Madrid with superstars like
Vicente del Bosque and Englishman Laurie Cunningham were strong favourites but seemed spooked by the incredible noise inside Celtic Park with the official attendance being 67,000. However many observers put the real figure at over 80,000 and what a night it was too. Goalless the break, Celtic eventually got ahead on 52 minutes through George McCluskey before Johnny Doyle out jumped the Real Madrid centre-backs to double Celtic’s lead on what was a memorable night in the East End of Glasgow.
4. Celtic 1-0 Manchester Utd, November 2006
Celtic’s final Champions League group stages match in the 2006/07 season was against Manchester United at Celtic Park. Having been very unlucky to lose 3-2 at Old Trafford earlier in the group stages (Ryan Giggs essentially dived to win a penalty for the winner), Gordon Strachan’s Celtic side knew that a win would not only give them some sweet revenge but would also see Celtic qualify from the group stages for the first time.
This enthralling game will be remembered for the world class free-kick from Celtic’s King of Japan Shunsuke Nakamura, which still ranks as on of the greatest in Champions League history and then a late penalty save from Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc which was greeted with such an incredible noise inside Celtic Park.
5. Celtic 2-1 Milan, October 2007
Reigning European champions AC Milan arrived at Paradise in the 2007-08 Champions League full of confidence and swagger and left with their tails between their legs. Stephen McManus gave the Scottish Champions the lead when Milan failed to adequately defend a corner, the Celtic defender couldn’t miss, though watching it back he certainly tried his best! The Celtic joy though was short-lived when Kaka netted from the penalty spot a few minutes later. But the Celtic support continued to believe and roared the team on. They were rewarded in the 90th minute when Australian striker Scott McDonald netted a well deserved winner.
It was an embarrassing night for the European Champion, not because they last to a spirited Celtic side, but because of the antics of their goalkeeper. A supporter had run onto the field to celebrate a Celtic goal and tapped Dida as he ran past. The over-reaction to this was astonishing and you’d be forgiven for thinking Dida had been seriously hurt. To their credit Milan later apologised for his play-acting.
6. Celtic 2-1 Barcelona, November 2012
This wonderful Barcelona side full of superstar at their peak, arrived in Glasgow’s east end just as Celtic were celebrating the club’s proud and unbroken 125th anniversary. Neil Lennon didn’t have problems to seek with so many injuries to contend with. However, thanks to a phenomenal display from Fraser Foster, Barcelona couldn’t find the back of the Celtic net until Leo Messi denied the English keeper a clean sheet in the closing moments. However that was merely a consolation as Celtic goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt were enough to earn the most unlikely Celtic win ever in this competition.
7. Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava, September 2024
A magnificent start to the new format of the Champions League from Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side as they swept aside the Slovakian Champions in convincing, scoring five times in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time ever. And the scoreline flattered Slovan Bratislava as Celtic could have hit double figures given the chances created. The goals came from all over the park, a defender (Liam Scales), a midfielder (Arne Engels), a winger (Daizen Maeda), a striker (Kyogo Furuhashi) and a substitute (Adam Idah). This win leaves Celtic trailing only Bayern Munich in the new look large group and gives Celtic significant confidence ahead of the trip to Dortmund next midweek.
