Another frustrating international break kicked in before Celts played again, a feeling no doubt shared by the Tartan Army as Scotland went down by a solitary early goal to Belarus at a packed Hampden on Saturday, 8 October 2005 to end any hopes of reaching a second World Cup finals tournament in Germany, more than three decades after the memorable events of summer 1974.
Once again, Celtic players were conspicuous by their absence in the starting line-up, albeit Shaun Maloney became the second of Gordon Strachan’s young stars to make his international debut that autumn, the Malaysian-born midfielder replacing Ian Murray of Rangers at half-time. With the pressure off, and Scotland being Scotland, of course they then proceeded to beat Slovenia 3-0 in Celje in midweek, with no Celts involved.
John Hartson returned for Wales the same afternoon in the 3-2 qualifying win over the Six Counties in Belfast, whilst Artur Boruc and Maciej Zurawski also played the full 90 minutes in Poland’s 3-2 friendly win over Iceland in Warsaw 24 hours earlier. All three Celts were involved in midweek, a Ryan Giggs’ double enough for Wales to see off Azerbaijan in Cardiff but Zurawski’s involvement in the 2-1 defeat by England at Old Trafford was curtailed by injury just before half-time.
Ironically, his replacement, former Wisla Krakow star Tomasz Frankowski, now plying his trade in Spain with Elche, scored the Polish equaliser that evening to finish level with Maciej on seven goals as the top scorer in Group 6. Both England, as group winners, and Poland as best-placed runners-up could look forward to the finals in Germany at the end of the season, whilst Wales finished a disappointing fifth of the six nations.
Stan Petrov also failed to appear in the second half of Bulgaria’s 2-0 win over Hungary in Sofia in Group 8, and he was missing as the Balkan nation completed their qualification schedule with a 1-1 draw with Malta in Ta’ Qali in midweek. Croatia and Sweden were the successful qualifiers there with Bulgaria in third place.
And Stan Varga was an unused substitute as Slovakia and Russia played out a goalless draw in that same Tehelne pole stadium in Bratislava where the Artmedia nightmare had occurred four months earlier. That result was enough for Slovakia to edge out the Russians from second spot in Group 3 on goal difference, Portugal progressing directly whilst Varga’s side would now face a knock-out play-off with Spain to reach the finals in Germany.
Shunsuke Nakamura was also playing in Europe in that international break, the Japanese star putting his side 2-0 up from the penalty spot early in the second half in Riga before making way for Alex Santos. The Latvians did fight back to claim a last-gasp draw in their friendly match.
Nakamura would again start but not finish in Japan’s 1-0 defeat by Ukraine in Kiev four days later, the hosts also scoring in the dying seconds from a penalty kick. The final Celt involved was Bobo Balde, who played the full 90 minutes as Guinea beat Botswana 2-1 in Gaborone to secure a place in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations but miss out on World Cup qualification to Group 5 winners Tunisia.
Back with domestic football, there was an incredible 60,100 crowd inside Celtic Park three days later, Saturday, 15 October 2005, most hoping that the Bhoys could reduce the three-point lead currently enjoyed by visitors Hearts. Alan Thompson and Neil Lennon returned in midfield, with Shaun Maloney dropping to the bench and Chris Sutton moving up front to partner Craig Beattie in the absence of injured Maciej Zurawski, Celtic lining up as follows.
Artur Boruc: Paul Telfer, Bobo Balde, Stephen McManus & Mo Camara:
Stan Petrov, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson & Shunsuke Nakamura:
Chris Sutton & Craig Beattie.
It was Beattie who opened the scoring early on, his shot deflecting high past Hearts keeper Steve Banks, making his debut between the posts in place of the suspended Craig Gordon. Banks was then a relieved man seconds later, as he watched a header from Bobo Balde strike the face of his post.
The Hoops lead was short-lived, however, a moment of fatal hesitation between Artur Boruc and Paul Telfer being punished by Rudi Skacel just three minutes later, the Czech striker thus continuing his excellent scoring run.
Banks then did his best to emulate his famous namesake, the late, great Gordon, as he pulled off a string of saves from Balde, Telfer and twice from Thompson before his best moment, the Hearts goalkeeper producing a stunning fingertip save from substitute Maloney’s curling thunderbolt.
Banks was the key man as the Gorgie side left Glasgow’s east end with their lead and unbeaten record intact. It would be a glorious opportunity missed by Celtic, particularly as word came through that Rangers had dropped yet another point on their travels, this time in a goalless draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.
There was good news two days later though, as Celts ended the ongoing speculation surrounding on-loan goalkeeper Artur Boruc by tying the 25-year-old Pole up on a three-and-a-half-year contract. Initially signed on a year-long loan deal from Legia Warsaw, the Holy Goalie’s recent form in the Celtic goals had been drawing admiring glances from a number of clubs, most notably Arsenal.
Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan expressed his delight that Boruc had been signed permanently, with a perhaps unwitting but nevertheless classic pun thrown in for good measure.
“It doesn’t make a difference whether it was Arsenal or Juventus who were interested in him, we were blinkered and wanted Artur here. We were in pole position. We brought Artur to the club and, once he was here, we knew he would like it. Everybody at the club – the players, coaching staff and people behind the scenes – are delighted.”
Matt Corr
An extract from Majic, Stan and The King of Japan – the new book from Matt Corr, published by Celtic Star Books this Friday, 20 October 2023.
Pre-order signed and personalised copies now at HERE or just click on the image below.
John Hartson will be just one of our special guests at The Celtic Star’s first Celtic event to be held in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park on Thursday, 19 October 2023 where we will officially celebrate the launch of Matt Corr’s new book with fellow supporters and all sorts of famous Celtic guests.
Hundreds of Celts have already confirmed their attendance for this huge and unique event with the venue now extended to incorporate bigger that expected numbers. A final release of tables for 10 at £180 or individual tickets priced just £20 for this special evening can be purchased now HERE or once again by clicking on the image below.
We’ll see you on Thursday night at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, action starts at 7pm prompt and doors open at 6.30pm.
Don’t miss out on The Celtic Star at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park this Thursday night, it’s going to be extra special night of brilliant Celtic conversation and music from Boolavogue plus the launch of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan…Remaining tickets available from Celtic Star Books website, just click on the image below…
