Matt Corr’s first big European match was on this day in 1972 and he tells us all about it below. We’d like to hear from you about your own first experience of watching Celtic play in Europe. If you fancy telling us about it please email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk – these Celtic supporters’ stories are great for raising the spirits…
Wednesday, 22 March 1972, a special gift was discovered in my 11th birthday card, a stand ticket for that night’s European Cup quarter-final second-leg match against the Hungarian champions, Ujpest Dosza. Those of you of a certain vintage will remember the old stand briefs, a huge yellow paper ticket, which unfolded like an Evening Citizen. There was no better sight to behold as a kid. This would be a real treat. My first big European match.
Somehow, I managed to get through the school day and took my seat to witness the magical spectacle of a packed Celtic Park under the floodlights. I will never, ever forget that moment.
Back into the side came George Connelly and Kenny Dalglish, with Tommy Callaghan and Dixie Deans moving onto the bench beside Jimmy Johnstone, the talismanic winger having been on the sidelines since the defeat of Hibernian on the last Saturday in January. This would be vital.
The significance of that fantastic result in Budapest was emphasised for the 75,000 supporters as the wonderful Ferenc Bene gave the Celtic defence a torrid time, the vastly experienced Hungarian international striker setting up a tie-equalising goal for his partner Antal Dunai in the opening five minutes. My young heart sank into the Upper Stand seat, as a purple tide threatened to sweep the Hoops out of the tournament.
But then there was Jinky, hero of so many European nights in the east end arena. Parkhead erupted as he came off the bench to replace the injured Jim Brogan on the hour mark, as yet again Jock flexed his tactical muscles, moving Davie Hay to full-back to accommodate the little maestro. Within a few minutes, Lou Macari had scored against Ujpest once again, lobbing the goalkeeper gloriously at the packed Celtic End to kick off wild celebrations which would continue until full-time.
Celts would march through to a fifth European semi-final, four of them under Jock, to face old foes Inter Milan in a repeat of the 1967 finale. We would happily settle for a repeat of that outcome.
Matt Corr
22nd March 1972, Celtic 1:1 Ujpest Dosza. (3:2 on aggregate)
2nd half goal from Lou Macari sends Celtic through to the European Cup Semi-Finals. @LouMacari10 pic.twitter.com/2VkUTVdHi8
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) March 22, 2021
COMING SOON…
