Just before kick off, myself and Dan went down the front where the Green Brigade were stood. We wanted to be in the thick of it. The flares went up as the teams came out and aside of a few songs, the Celtic end was a little bit quiet to begin with. This was because the team was nervous and started terribly. That poor start was then compounded when Lazio took an early lead after Immobile was left unmarked at the far post. Zombie Nation was played over the tannoy and thus the Celtic end erupted with the arms out having great fun, to the shock of the fascist Ultras across from us in the side stand.
Celtic almost fell two behind, only Jullien’s goal line clearance preventing disaster. Yet, the team soon relaxed and started to play a lot better. This made for much better viewing and the fans responded with all 9000 in good voice. I remember seeing Elyounoussi pass the ball to Forrest just before half time. The action was so far away from us at the other end, that I had no idea how close to the goal he was. I just saw him take aim and then the net bulge at the far corner. Cups of beer went flying along with the bodies down the rows as most people were stood on top of their seats. The celebrations were superb and so caught up in the excitement was the crowd that there was just a constant buzz of noise and celebration until half time, rather than any song particularly catching on.
The goal lifted Celtic and the team started the second half magnificently. It was a real joy to watch us play that way against such opposition. Often European away trips can become a jolly where the drink and singing takes centre stage and people lose interest in the game with us performing badly. This was totally different, everyone was fixed on the play.
The atmopshere was terrific throughout the second half, then suddenly the ground fell silent as Odsonne Edouard burst through one on one with the goalkeeper. He curled his effort towards the far post and beers went flying in the air once more. “Yeeee-ohhh!” Unbelievably, the ball went the wrong side of the post. I felt that was our big chance to win the game and recall turning to Dan for the next five minutes moaning at the fact he had missed.
Lazio came back into it as the half wore on and had a few very good chances which Forster saved excellently. “I’d love a last minute winner here,” Dan said. “Could you imagine?” I replied. We both smirked, hoping for the best. Celtic got a corner near the end of the game and held the ball by the flag. All around us people were applauding, settling for the draw… not me. “Get it in the box man, c’mon we can do them.”
Time was all but up. Lazio had possession in their own half and there was no danger. Then it happened. A terrible pass allowed Edouard to break at the defence, if I remember correctly a player was trying to get outside him to the left, but he passed right to Ntcham. His first touch was poor, leaving a tight angle and I can still see it in my mind’s eye as he chipped the keeper. Where we were so back from the goal, we couldn’t see the goal line behind the advertising boards, so I wasn’t sure if it had gone in or not when the defender slid across. Then a roar to end all roars went up, Dan turned and gave me a hug, a woman behind me starting screaming and jumping, then bodies went flying into a mass bundle all around. The greatest celebrations I’ve been part of and certainly the loudest reaction to any goal
The noise was electrifying and then the full time whistle was blown prompting an eruption. I wanted to enjoy the moment with my Dad so we ran up to their seats at the back. The players came over to do the Ninetoes celebration, then the Bhoys group got the drums going and led the entire 9000 strong Celtic contingent in an utterly spine tingling rendition of Papa Francesco Ale for about half an hour. With seal clapping, jumping and maximum participation, it is undoubtedly the best moment in my time supporting Celtic.
We streamed out the stadium after an hour, when my Dad commented on the fact his only two European away games were victories over Liverpool and now Lazio. To be away with your mates and my family and witness history with a crowd like that was just phenomenal. Easily one of the top few nights of my life.
When back at the hotel, we went out to a local for pizza and a few drinks until the early hours. We met four Celtic fans doing the same, two from Glasgow and two from Belfast. They were decked out in the hoops and had walked back from the stadium. One joked that they grew up in the Troubles, yet the most scared they’ve ever been was walking through the Vatican! On their journey back, they had heard a loud bang and seen people running. We later found out this was a bus that had broken down, being petrol bombed. Then as fans fled, Lazio Ultras appeared with machetes, before police moved in.
I didn’t want the night to end. I was on such a high, but eventually we did sleep.
