| Match Pictures | Matches:1966 – 1967 | 1966-67 Pictures |
Trivia
- European Cup: First leg, Second Round tie.
- The Celtic party of 15 flew by charter direct to Nantes from Glasgow on the Monday following the weekend game against Hearts. Ian Young, John Fallon and David Cattanach were the extras taken.
- On the Monday of the departure the Celtic Boys Club played an exhibition match against the Partick Thistle Boys Club at U13 level. The gate receipts from the game were donated to the Aberfan Disaster fund.
- Nantes had not won in France for four games before this game. However they provided France with four internationalists in Budzinski, Robin, Suadeau and Simon.
- 500 Celtic fans travel from Glasgow on two specially chartered flights.
- Celtic players given morning off for shopping trip on day of game.
- Celtic officials and players were given a civic reception from Nantes’ mayor in the local town hall.
- Lennox’s pace causes Nantes defence problems and Johnstone is christened ‘The Flying Flea’ by the French press. Joe McBride dubbed by the French press as ‘Marlon Brando’ (the actor).
Review
Jock Stein was delighted with the heavy conditions after rain had fallen in the days leading up to the game. He promised to attack and his team kept that promise.
Celts started well with Chalmers seeing a fine shot saved by Castel and then Johnstone struck the bar with another effort.
In 17 minutes Nantes went ahead when Gemmell lost possession and McNeill failed to stop Magny from scoring.
Joe McBride equalised seven minutes later with his first shot at goal and this spurred on the French and Ronnie Simpson had to make two great saves before half time to keep Celtic level.
In the second half Celtic’s superior fitness told in the heavy going and Lennox scored a great goal after running on to Murdoch’s fine through ball from midfield.
When Chalmers scored a third in 67 minutes Nantes looked a demoralised team.
The French press including the influential L’Equipe were fulsome in their praise of Stein and his men. Although Johnstone grabbed the headlines Simpson and Auld were highly praised for their displays also.
Teams
Nantes:
Castel, Le Chenadec, Budzinski, Robin, De Michele, Kovacevic, Suadeau, Blanchet, Simon, Magny, Michel.
Scorer: Magny (16)
Celtic:
Simpson, Gemmell, O’Neill, Murdoch, McNeill, Clark, Johnstone, Chalmers, McBride, Lennox, Auld. Sub: Gallacher
Scorers: McBride 24 Lennox 50 Chalmers 67
Referee: J Campos (Portugal)
Attendance: 15,464
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Evening Times
Match report from The (London) Times, 1st December 1966.
It was 50 years ago today … Celts secure win in France
http://www.celticfc.net/news/11708
By: Paul Cuddihy on 30 Nov, 2016 11:45
IT was 50 years ago today, on November 30, 1966, that Celtic took the next step on their European Cup adventure when they faced French champions, Nantes, in the first leg of their second round tie.
Jock Stein’s side travelled to France and recorded an impressive 3-1 victory over their opponents, who actually took the lead after 16 minutes.
However, just eight minutes later Joe McBride equalised, latching on to a Bobby Lennox pass to score with what was his first shot of the game, while second-half goals from Lennox and Stevie Chalmers ensured that the Hoops took control of the tie, with the second leg scheduled for the following week at Celtic Park.
And Bobby Lennox, in his autobiography, later revealed how close Joe McBride came to not appearing in the game.
He said: ‘There was a bit of a glitch before the match – as our coach approached the stadium, Joe McBride realised that that he had forgotten to bring his boots. Jock lost the place with him and Joe and Neilly Mochan, our kit man and trainer, had to take a taxi back to the hotel and then return to the ground, where they had to wade through the crowd to get to the dressing-room with minutes to spare before the game began. This was one of the few occasions on which anyone was allowed to make such a ‘faux pas’ and still play but Joe was our top scorer that season and Jock was always practical in his decision-making.’