Happy Stuttgart memories for both Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, let’s hope this Europa League play-off tie brings more of the same…
FEBRUARY 20: UEFA Cup 02/03, Glasgow; Celtic Glasgow – VfB Stuttgart 3:1; Fernando MEIRA/Stuttgart, Chris Sutton/Glasgow (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Celtic were yesterday drawn against VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League play off draw, with the prize on offer a place in the last 16 of the competition.
We of course have previous with the Bundesliga side in this competition, back when it was simply known as the UEFA Cup. It was early 2003 and we were paired with the Germans, and won 5-4 overall to seal a place in the quarter final on route to Seville.
UEFA Cup 02/03, Glasgow; Celtic Glasgow – VfB Stuttgart 3:1; Joos VALGAEREN/Celtic (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Both Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will hold fantastic memories of the clash with the Bundesliga side, indeed Maloney was deputising in the absence of John Hartson, and Henrik Larsson, who just weeks earlier had suffered a broken jaw against Livingston.
The then 20 year old scored the second goal in the 3-1 win, not long after Paul Lambert had cancelled out Kevin Kuranyi’s 27th minute opener for the ten men of Stuttgart, who had seen Bordon receive his marching orders just 16 minutes into the game.
FEBRUARY 20: UEFA Pokal 02/03, Glasgow; Celtic Glasgow – VfB Stuttgart 3:1; Schiedsrichter Pierluigi COLLINA zeigt Marcelo BORDON/Stuttgart rote Karte (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Stan Petrov gave us some breathing space with a thumping strike with a little over 20 minutes remaining, meaning we could head over to Germany with every confidence of winning the tie.
The game in Stuttgart started fantastically, with Celtic rushing into a two goal lead in the first quarter of an hour, thanks to goals from Chris Sutton to surge into a 5-1 aggregate lead, to all but end the tie.
FEBRUARY 27: UEFA Pokal 02/03, Stuttgart; VfB Stuttgart – Celtic Glasgow; Enttaeuschte VFB Spieler – Andreas HINKEL, Steffen DANGLMAYR und Timo WENZEL/Stuttgart (Photo by Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Images)
But Celtic being Celtic decided to do things the hard way as The Germans rallied to come back and win 3-2, with their last goal arriving three minutes from time. We were never in any danger of going out, but the nerves still showed all the same.
Celtic of course booked a quarter final date with Liverpool, winning yet again on route to the final in Seville.
UEFA Cup 02/03, Stuttgart; VfB Stuttgart – Celtic Glasgow; Enttaeuschte Stuttgarter – v,lks.: Steffen DANGELMAYR, Torwart Timo HILDEBRAND und Timo WENZEL (Photo by Sandra Behne/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Both Martin and Shaun will be felling a little nostalgic, could a win over Stuttgart signal a similar sort of run as we witnessed back in 2003?
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Sale Ends Sunday…
It’s the last few days of the Half Price January sale at Celtic Star Books. Every book ordered is now just £10 and p&p is only charged on the first book at £4.50. So ordering three books will cost a total of £34.50 and given you a £30 saving. Order at celticstarbooks.com/shop
All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
These books now available at at HALF PRICE in our January sale – click on image to order…
Order from Celtic Star Books HERE!
Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?
