1980-09-17: Celtic 2-1 Politehnica Timisoara, ECWC

Match Pictures | Matches: 1980 – 1981 | 1980-81 Pictures

Trivia

Celtic's first European tie against Rumanian opposition.
Celtic play in green socks.

Review

From a newspaper report.

From being in a position to negate the need for a second leg as they had done in the previous round, Celtic now face a perilous journey to Romania in a fortnight's time after losing a late goal to a Politehnica Timisoara side who had for long periods played with all the cohesive rhythm of the dance band on the Titanic.

Celtic's earlier play, too, had threatened to eradicate the challenge of the painfully slow Romanian side by half-time.

The big occasion players at Parkhead once again responded to that particular impetus given by a crowded ground on European nights to the extent that Celtic dominated play to an almost ludicrous degree.

From the defensive players like Sneddon, through to the midfield shooting power of MacLeod, attempts at goal rained down on Timisoara's Moise, but it was Provan who missed the easiest chance of all to give Celtic the hoped for early goal. A McGrain cross exposed the goalkeeper's inadequacy in dealing with the high ball but when it broke to Provan he managed to evade the empty goal and swerve the ball past the post.

Celtic's incessant surge forward could be suppressed no longer and when Nicholas once again displayed his virulence when the whites of the goalposts are in view, it was similarly attributable to the goalkeeper's shortcomings. This time he fumbled a Provan cross which the youngster scooped over his own head and into the net.

Direct from the kick-off Adrian attempted to deceive Bonner from the half-way line but the young Irishman has not constructed a reputation so quickly by falling victim to such capricious tactics. Timisoara's frustration was personified by the booking of Nadu for taking his tally of fouls to something approaching the double figure mark, this time with a trip on McGrain.

The Romanians' demoralisation seemed complete when the irrepressible Nicholas headed Celtic into a two-goal lead in the 41st minute from a MacLeod chip.

But for the intervention of the crossbar early in the second half, Celtic might even have gone on to repeat their six goals from the home tie of the previous round. A superlative run and pass by McCluskey was struck perfectly by burns but the ricochet seemed to give Timisoara fresh confidence and they began to throw more men forward in the hope of salvaging something for the return game. This they most certainly did in the 80th minute when the tie was made a mockery of by Adrian who shot past Bonner while standing almost on the bye-line.

From being so far in front Celtic had actually surrendered the dreaded away goal to the Romanians which could yet prove so vital. Symptomatic of Celtic's fall from grace was the booking of Aitken for holding Cotec as Timisoara attempted to turn the tie on it's head.