CELTIC play Suduva this evening in the first leg of the Europa League Play-off.
Many supporters will recall our last meeting with the little Lithuanian side, back in 2002. Celtic had taken a 3-1 home leg lead to Switzerland but ended up losing 2-0 to Basel and went out of the Champions League, losing the Play-off on the away goal conceded at Celtic Park.
We had to pick ourselves up and try to get some enthusiasm together for the UEFA Cup and our first game was at Celtic Park against this evening’s opponents. Celtic won that game 8-1 with goals from Larsson (hat-trick), Petrov, Sutton, Lambert, Hartson and Valgaeren.
The second leg was therefore a formality to say the least and Celtic were able to field a second string side that was still able to record a comfortable 2-0 win on the night, so we won the tie 10-1. Both goals came in the first half and were scored by David Fernandez – remember him? – and Alan Thompson.
That was the beginning of a remarkable journey that no-one would have anticipated after the gloom and doom of losing to Basel, a much better side than the very ordinary AEK Athens side who dashed our Champions League ambitions last week.
Jackie McNamara remembers those games well – he was an unused sub in the 8-1 thrashing of Suduva – and also recalls the remarkable journey that followed. The former Celtic star suggested earlier this week that we should all remember Seville and use the tie with Suduva as an inspiration, believing that another remarkable Celtic journey could emerge just we we were expecting it the least.
“Obviously, the initial disappointment of losing in the Champions League makes it hard,” McNamara said.
“It does feel like an anti-climax when you go out because when you have tasted the Champions League that’s always where anyone wants to be, players, fans, everyone.
“But you have to try to make the best of the situation and the Europa League can be a wonderful experience if it goes well.
“Of course, in the beginning it is not glamorous. You are playing teams from Lithuania and they are not household names.
“We had faced the likes of Juventus in the Champions League then had to go and face Suduva, yet look what happened afterwards. I’m not saying Celtic are going to win the Europa League or get to the Final, certainly not the way they are looking at the moment.
“There are a few things they need to sort out defensively before they can start looking too far ahead, but if they can get a run going it can go some way to making up for the Champions League exit.
“There was excitement last season for the Zenit St Petersburg tie tie when Celtic were going for the last eight and the Europa League carries importance these days.
“Just look a couple of seasons back and the importance to Manchester United in them winning it. I’d imagine that even if Celtic do go on a good run in the Europa League they would probably not get a lot of credit because people say it’s all about the Champions League.
“But it’s like everything else. Winning a few games in the Europa League would be a help for them.”
Tonight Celtic kick-off at 6pm so our game will be ending just as The Rangers game kicks off. There won’t be any stabbings of visiting fans from “Scotland” supporters tonight because there will be no away fans at Ibrox.
Celtic have 2000 in Lithuania incidentally, the attendance at the Suduva v Celtic game in 2002 was just 1200 but they were already 8-1 down!
Anyway over at Ibrox, we should not be too upset if they get through but hopefully it is very competitive. They have a horrendous journey to the other side of Russia next week, this is conveniently close to their visit to Celtic Park. If the Russians can stay in the tie for as long as possible that would be ideal, but – whisper it – we shouldn’t be too upset if they get through.
Why? Co-efficient points are important and if both Celtic and The Rangers are in the Group Stages then that will help the Scottish ranking. Who cares, says you. Fair enough – to be honest, I see your point.
No the reason why I’d not be too disappointed to see them reach the Group stages is precisely because of the Seville season.
We were remarkable. It was an amazing journey. Those European nights, this trips, those wins in England – that semi-final goal from Henrik and the trip to Seville. It was all wonderful.
But while we were doing all that the old Rangers concentrated on domestic football and ended up pinching a Treble.
So when we have tough group stage games in the Europa League – assuming we actually get there – it will be no bad thing that The Rangers have them too and all the tougher you would expect as they will be a Pot 4 side while we should be in Pot 2.
It’s not so much Seville I’m thinking about, it’s Rugby Park a few days later.
