December 2001. Celtic v Valencia in the UEFA cup third round second leg. Celtic were trailing after a 1-0 defeat in Spain so had to win by a couple on the night to advance to the next round and get to sample European football after Christmas for the first time in 20 years.
Valencia were a cracking side and had been finalists in the previous two champions league finals only losing on penalties to Bayern Munich in the big cup seven months previously.
Celtic started frantically roared on by the capacity crowd, and had chances to go in front, but had Rab Douglas to thank for keeping us in the game with couple of good stops, just as he did in the first leg in the Mestalla Stadium.
The goal Celtic craved finally arrived just on half time as Henrik larsson (who else) sent a fine finish beyond Santiago Canizares to send Celtic park into bedlam. It was a goal that made the king of kings the top goalscorer for the club in European competition. It was his seventeenth overall and one more than Jimmy Johnstone.
Celtic tried in vain to get a second after the break but were denied by good goalkeeping and defending. Valencia also had a go and hit on the break a few times and could have all but ended the tie as a contest. It was a frantic and pulsating cup tie, one of the best, and the atmosphere was top notch.
It was indeed one of The loudest atmospheres I’ve ever experienced at Celtic park. In later years several Valencia players who took part in the game described how daunting the noise was, even remarking how they couldn’t hear their own teammates. It was Celtic park at its finest.
In the end it went to penalties despite Celtic’s best efforts to win in extra time. Indeed a superb Canizares save denied John Hartson right at the death.
Sadly Valencia prevailed and won 5-4 on spot kicks with Henrik larsson, Stan Petrov and Joos Valgaeren missing their efforts. The way Valencia held their nerve in such a hostile environment proved they were a class outfit.
All in all despite going out, it was a great experience and memorable night most supporters who were present will never forget.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
