On this day in 1966, Celtic hosted Liverpool in the first leg of the European Cup Winner’s Cup semi final. It was Celtic’s second ECWC semi final in three years. A group of Liverpool fans broke into Celtic Park the night before the contest, and were arrested when police found the men having a kick about on the pitch!
A massive crowd of 76,466 packed out Paradise, though 80,000 tickets had allegedly been sold. Five fans were injured as a barrier collapsed at kick off, such was the throng of people on the terraces.
Celtic lived up to their billing as favourites, scoring a second half goal through Bobby Lennox, which was enough to earn them a 1-0 victory.
Bobby Lennox 😍
📆 The Bhoys defeated Liverpool in the first-leg of the European Cup Winners Cup semi-final 54 years ago today… #OnThisDay #CelticFC 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1mHEasFti6
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) April 14, 2020
The second leg saw Celtic eliminated in controversial circumstances. Celtic lost 2-1 at Anfield, but a legitimate strike from Bobby Lennox was wrongly disallowed for offside. The decision cost Celtic a place in the final against Borussia Dortmund at Hampden Park.
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