1997-07-30: Celtic 5-0 Inter Cable-Tel, UEFA Cup 1st Qual. Rd.

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Trivia

  • Malky MacKay signed a new 2 year deal to July 1999. He had been out of contract and signing monthly deals.
  • The club were seeking other ways to sanction Di Canio, who still refused to return to Glasgow stating stress as the reason for his staying in Italy.
  • Despite statements that all the players would be staying there were strong rumours linking Brian McLaughlin with a move £300k to Stockport County.
  • The deal with Stephane Mahe had been struck and he duly signed for £500k with a 3 year contract to July 2000 the day after this game. Celtic were also pursuing Marc Rieper of West Ham. Harry Redknapp had admitted that he might be forced to sell the defender.
  • Two former officials of Celtic Boys' Club, Jim Torbett, 50, and Frank Cairney, 62, were arrested by police.
  • Burley and Larsson were ineligible for this game, Grant was dropped, Kerr, Wieghorst and O’Donnell were injured.
  • Darren Jackson and David Hannah scored their first goals for the club.

Review

Despite a 5-0 win there were reservations in the style of the play and the crowd were far from happy with the performance.

Teams:

Celtic: Marshall; Boyd, McKinlay, McNamara, Stubbs, Jackson, Thom, Johnson (Hay, 72), Donnelly, Hannah (McBride, 81), Gray (Annoni, 46).
Non Used Subs: Mackay, McCondichie, Elliot
Scorers: Thom (20, pen), Jackson (41), Johnson (44), Hannah (62), Hay (84)

Inter CableTel: Ellacott; Hewitt, Rickard, David, Philpott, Davies, Warton, Burrows (Jenkins, 55), Haig, Gibson (Murray, 65), Williams (Richards, 81).
Non Used Subs: Copeman, Morris, Randell, Wile.

Booking: Philpott, Williams (Inter CableTel)

Referee: A Micallef (Malta).

Attendance: 41,537

Articles

  • Match Report

(Sporting Life)
By Simon Buckland, PA Sport

Darren Jackson netted the home debut goal he wanted as Celtic eased past Inter Cable-Tel in emphatic fashion in the UEFA Cup qualifying round second leg tie at Parkhead. The Bhoys secured an 8-0 aggregate success over the Welsh part-timers after dominating the game throughout to delight new head coach Wim Jansen.

Scottish international Jackson struck for his new club just as the Celtic Park faithful were expressing mild anxiety at the lack of goals. As in the first leg, Andreas Thom eased initial nerves with a coolly struck penalty, this time after 19 minutes. But Inter Cable-Tel initially held firm and it was just minutes before the break that Celtic's control of the game was confirmed. Jackson's header was followed moments later by former Aston Villa man Tommy Johnson converting a cross for the third.

After the break David Hannah capped a fine move with a fourth and with just minutes remaining substitute Chris Hay was on hand for a fifth. It made for a resounding final scoreline, but Celtic will know tougher challengers surely lie ahead for them in this competition. Leading 3-0 from last week's clash in Cardiff, Celtic were confident of putting on a show but found themselves frustrated by resolute defending from the Welsh Leaguers before the interval. But much of this good work was undone when Simon Donnelly was brought down on the right-hand side by Richard David as he looked to cut in from the bye-line. It was a clear penalty and Thom placed his spotkick to Marty Ellacott's right. However, Celtic still struggled to impose themselves on the half, controlling possession without threatening enough for their support's liking.

The home side were missing new signings Craig Burley from Chelsea and Henrik Larsson from Feyenoord as both missed the European deadline. Defender Malky Mackay, suspended from the first-leg, could only find a place on the bench alongside fit-again Italian Enrico Annoni. It was the impressive Thom who initially came closest to a second on the half hour mark with his far post header pushed away well by Ellacott. Moments later, the German fired a speculative 30-yard effort just wide of the target as the Bhoys at last came into their own. Just as the Celtic faithful began to voice their anger at their side's failure to add a second, former Hibernian frontman Jackson emerged to open his account for his new club. And on the very stroke of half-time, Johnson finished superbly when under pressure to record a third.

Thom offered Celtic's most immediate threat after the break when he found room just outside the area to fire a powerful drive. Keeper Ellacott seemed to see the ball late through a crowd of players but managed to parry and his defenders completed the job. Celtic introduced Annoni at the break for Gray and he was encouraged to push into midfield as Celtic pushed for a fourth. That almost came through wideman Jackie McNamara who chested the ball down wide on the right and shot narrowly over.

Finally relaxed, Celtic began to put on the style head coach Wim Jansen had been hoping for beforehand. And in the 62nd minute, Hannah completed a sweeping passing movement to fire home the inevitable fourth. end

Low five for Celts –
Football
Sun, The (London, England)
July 30, 1997

Celtic 5 Inter Cable-Tel 0 (Celtic win 8-0 on agg)
CELTIC cut Cable-Tel's connection but it might not be too long before their own Euro line is crossed.

A five-goal win in their UEFA Cup qualifying second leg might might look impressive.

But it was a far from convincing display against the Cardiff part-timers.

  • Manager Interview

Wim Jansen, post match:
"We are into the next round of Europe and that is what most pleased me.
"It was important not to be made nervous by the crowd's reaction and we showed patience until the arrival of two quick goals before half-time. Goals always make games easier.
“There were good and bad points. When we passed the ball quickly after one or two touches things went well for us. But too often we gave the ball away far too easily.
"We need to show more adaptability in our play," said the Dutch coach. "But the return of Craig Burley to the side and the introduction of Henrik Larsson will make the team stronger."

George Woods, CableTel manager:
“I’m proud of my lads, the way they worked and gave their all.
“We are not kidding ourselves on. We got well beaten in the end but 5-0 is no shame for us.”

Stats

Celtic Inter CableTel
Bookings 2 0
Fouls 3 6
Shots on Target 11 0
Corners 10 2
Offside 1 0