2002-11-28: Celtic 1-0 Celta Vigo, UEFA Cup

Match Pictures | The Road To Seville | Matches: 2002 – 2003

Trivia

Henrik Larsson was once again the Celtic hero as the champions earned an admirable Uefa Cup first leg win over Celta Vigo.
The prolific Swede was on hand to score his 25th goal of the season and give Celtic a narrow lead in the third round tie.
Celtic have failed on seven previous attempts to negotiate Spanish opposition in European competition, but they have given themselves a decent chance of breaking that run.
Game probaly best remembered for referee Columbo’s eccentric refereeing performance.

Review

Celtic were given a wake up call in the opening seconds when Argentine international winger Gustavo Lopez warmed the hands of Rab Douglas with a fierce shot. However, they soon found their stride and created several good opportunities of their own.

John Hartson lost his bearings when challenged by Vigo goalkeeper Pinto outside the penalty area and the chance to knock the stray ball into an unguarded net was lost.

Steve Guppy was then denied from close range by Pinto after sliding in to meet a Didier Agathe cross which had been deflected on by Larsson. The rebound off the keeper hit a prone Vigo defender and bounced over the crossbar.

Then Agathe volleyed over the bar with the goal at his mercy when Pinto flapped a cross into his path.

A free-flowing opening to the game was brought to a halt by fussy French referee Claude Columbo, who incensed the Celtic crowd with a series of strange decisions.

Celtic made a strong start to the second half and a Chris Sutton effort was deflected for a 51st minute corner. Bobo Balde and Hartson rose to meet the delivery and the ball fell into the path of Larsson, who was alert enough to nod it over the line from a yard out.

Larsson almost bagged a second goal in the 70th minute when he latched on to Hartson’s headed flick, but Pinto saved with his legs as the Swede shot from a tight angle.

The erratic display of the match officials continued to mar the game and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was clearly exasperated. Eventually, O’Neill was banished to the stands for his animated touchline complaints.

Teams

Celtic:-
Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 86), Lennon, Sutton, Petrov, Guppy (Thompson 84), Larsson, Hartson.
Subs not used:- Gould, McNamara, Fernandez, Lambert, Maloney.
Goal:- Larsson (52)
Booked:- Sutton, Hartson.

Celta Vigo:
Pinto, Silvinho, Berizzo, Sebastian Mendez, Sebastian Mendez, Sergio, Lopez (McCarthy 83), Luccin, Jose Ignacio, Juanfran, Mostovoi, Catanha (Edu 49).
Subs not used:- Cavallero, Caceres, Giovanella, Coudet, Jandro.
Booked:- Catanha.

Att:- 53,726
Ref:- Claude Columbo (France).

Pictures

Pictures from the game

Articles

Larsson goal gives Celtic a head start

Larsson 52

The Guardian, Friday 29 November 2002 22.25 GMT

Martin O’Neill sent out the team that humbled Blackburn Rovers as Celtic attempted to establish a measure of superiority in the first leg of the Uefa Cup tie against the Spaniards. The plan worked, too, as the Scottish champions, with Chris Sutton in midfield and Stilian Petrov fit after sustaining an horrific facial wound against Livingston at the weekend, made life distinctly difficult for their visitors and took the spoils thanks to Henrik Larsson’s headed winner. European nights in Glasgow are seldom dull and uninteresting and this was no exception as the two teams battled from the outset to establish some momentum. The fact that the Spaniards were clearly not content to sit back and soak up whatever Celtic had to offer was amply illustrated as early as 20 seconds into the proceedings, when a mistake by the normally reliable Joos Valgaeren sent Silvinho on his way but the ex-Arsenal player’s cross was not met properly by Gustavo Lopez and that allowed Robert Douglas an easier save than he might have expected. Still, that set the tempo and thereafter it never relented. Yet Celtic did settle after the early scare and created chances of their own. Petrov drove one good effort wide and after ten minutes Jose Pinto raced fully 30 yards to clear from John Hartson who claimed he had used a hand in the process. The French referee, however, ignored that suggestion and irritated the home team still further by issuing three warnings to the Welshman for a variety of infringements as well as refusing to award what seemed like a corner. It was all too much for the manager Martin O’Neill who exploded from the dug-out area to berate the poor fourth official whose connection with the decisions was tenuous to say the least. It was all a bit more promising for the Scots nevertheless and they should have gone ahead after 20 minutes. Pinto, not at all comfortable under pressure, flapped at a Steve Guppy cross but Didier Agathe under no real pressure volleyed high, wide and not very handsome when it seemed easier to hit the target at least. That was unquestionably an opportunity lost and it seemed to affect Celtic who suffered from a lack of self-belief for a spell during which Peter Luccin went close for Vigo. More than anything, though, the home team were suffering from some strange decisions from the French officials and Petrov positively harangued assistant referee Vincent Texier in front of the main stand for one quite outrageous offside that also left O’Neill shaking his head in despair. It had been a frustrating half for Celtic. The second period was only three minutes old when Vigo replaced Catanha with Edu and the change may have disrupted the visitors who conceded a goal shortly afterwards. There was renewed purpose about Celtic and after Sergio was booked for a foul on Henrik Larsson after 51 minutes the Swede exacted his own particular style of revenge just 60 seconds later. It was typical Larsson as he reacted quicker than anyone else to rise above defenders to head home after Bobo Balde nodded on a Guppy corner. Balde did well in that instance but so nearly blotted his copybook after just when he lost possession in a dangerous area and then looked suitably grateful to Petrov for a fine block as Edu threatened. Petrov then raced to the other end to send a decent shot wide and Hartson tested Pinto with a good volley as Celtic looked to confirm their superiority with a second goal. There was more fury in the home dug-out, and indeed the crowd, as the referee ignored a blatant trip on Larsson by Juanfran but concern, too, when Silvinho moved forward for a fierce effort that flew over. The Swede went close again five minutes later with a fine strike, but it was his goal that gives Celtic a vital lead for the trip to Spain in two weeks time. Celtic (3-5-2): Douglas; Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen; Agathe, Lennon, Sutton, Petrov, Guppy; Hartson, Larsson. Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Pinto; Mendez, Berizzo, Sergio, Silvinho; Ignacio, Luccin; Lopez (McCarthy, 83), Mostovoi, Juanfran; Catanha (Edu, 48). Referee: C Columbo.

Thursday, 28 November, 2002, 21:57 GMT

First blood to Celtic

Larsson heads home the only goal of the game Celtic 1-0 Celta Vigo Henrik Larsson was once again the Celtic hero as the Scottish champions earned an admirable Uefa Cup first leg win over Celta Vigo in Glasgow. The prolific Swede was on hand to score his 25th goal of the season and give Celtic a narrow lead in the third round tie. Celtic were worthy winners over the side who are currently sixth in Spain’s La Liga and could have won by a healthier margin. The visitors were under pressure for most of the match and looked vulnerable when faced with Celtic’s considerable aerial threat. Celtic were given a wake up call in the opening seconds when Argentine international winger Gustavo Lopez warmed the hands of Rab Douglas with a fierce shot. However, the home side soon found their stride and created several good opportunities of their own. John Hartson lost his bearings when challenged by Vigo goalkeeper Pinto outside the penalty area and the chance to knock the stray ball into an unguarded net was lost. Steve Guppy was then denied from close range by Pinto after sliding in to meet a Didier Agathe cross which had been deflected on by Larsson. The rebound off the keeper hit a prone Vigo defender and bounced over the crossbar. Then Agathe volleyed over the bar with the goal at his mercy when Pinto flapped a cross into his path. The Parkhead crowd were given a fright when a low strike flashed across Douglas’ goalmouth and Catanha was only inches away from connecting with the ball. A free-flowing opening to the game was brought to a halt by fussy French referee Claude Columbo, who incensed the Celtic crowd with a series of strange decisions. Celtic made a strong start to the second half and a Chris Sutton effort was deflected for a 51st minute corner. Bobo Balde and Hartson rose to meet the delivery and the ball fell into the path of Larsson, who was alert enough to nod it over the line from a yard out. The Spanish side upped the tempo in search of an equaliser with Lopez looking lively, but Celtic continued to enjoy the bulk of possession. Larsson almost bagged a second goal in the 70th minute when he latched on to Hartson’s headed flick, but Pinto saved with his legs as the Swede shot from a tight angle. In the closing stages Vigo midfielder Edu wasted a good chance with a poor first touch in front of the Celtic goal. The erratic display of the match officials continued to mar the game and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was clearly exasperated. Eventually, O’Neill was banished to the stands for his animated touchline complaints. Celtic have failed on seven previous attempts to negotiate Spanish opposition in European competition, but O’Neill’s men have given themselves a decent chance of breaking that run. ——————————————————————————– Celtic: Douglas, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 86), Lennon, Sutton, Petrov, Guppy (Thompson 84), Larsson, Hartson. Subs not used: Gould, McNamara, Fernandez, Lambert, Maloney. Booked: Sutton, Hartson. Celta Vigo: Pinto, Silvinho, Berizzo, Sebastian Mendez, Sebastian Mendez, Sergio, Lopez (McCarthy 83), Luccin, Jose Ignacio, Juanfran, Mostovoi, Catanha (Edu 49). Subs not used: Cavallero, Caceres, Giovanella, Coudet, Jandro. Booked: Catanha. Attendance: 53,726 Referee: Claude Columbo (France).

O’Neill blasts French ref

Thursday, 28 November, 2002, 23:58 GMT Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was banished to the stand Referee Claude Columbo came in for severe criticism of his handling of Celtic’s Uefa Cup third round first leg tie with Celta Vigo. The fussy Frenchman made a number of incredible decisions at Celtic Park and sent home manager Martin O’Neill to the stand. Celtic were worthy winners but may rue a number of missed chances when they take a 1-0 lead to Galicia in a fortnight. Henrik Larsson was on target for the home side. Neil Lennon, who shone in midfield for Celtic, was not at all pleased with Columbo’s handling of the match. “The referee tried his best to spoil the game for both sides,” Lennon told BBC Scotland. “We were hoping to come away with a few more goals, but we’ll take that result. “It’s the same scenario as the Blackburn tie now,” Lennon continued, alluding to the previous round when Celtic won 1-0 at home before a 2-0 triumph in England. “Now we’ve got to go out there and try and nick a goal.” O’Neill, who was bickering with the fourth official all night, was seen complaining about Columbo’s decisions repeatedly. And in the closing stages of the match O’Neill was banished to the stand by the Frenchman. “The referee’s performance left a lot to be desired,” O’Neill fumed. “He tried to ruin what was a brilliant evening for us. “He did his best to spoil proceedings and he had an obvious problem with the linesman because he overruled him consistently and excessively. “That affected the linesman’s confidence, but that’s enough talking about it because the referee did detract from our performance. “The players were terrific against a top class side. “We got the goal we deserved and we could have had a few more. “I couldn’t have higher praise for the team.” O’Neill, who was sent off during a Champions League match against Juventus in Turin last season, revealed that the fourth official had man-handled him. “The fourth official actually pushed me,” O’Neill told BBC Radio Scotland. “It was inappropriate without a doubt. I don’t know whether we would have any chance of doing anything about it (with Uefa). “I would probably say no chance, but I certainly want to send some video evidence of that particular incident and of the game itself.” Meanwhile, Vigo coach Miguel Angel Lotina was not impressed with Celtic. And claimed that the noise of the crowd was more frightening than the home team. “I wasn’t very impressed,” said Lotina. “I knew it would be more or less like this, but I was impressed with the atmosphere here at Celtic Park.” 2002-11-28: Celtic 1-0 Celta Vigo, UEFA Cup - The Celtic Wiki

from Neg Sludden