Martin O’Neill reflects on Seville and Celtic’s ‘Battle of Britain’ victories | OneFootball

Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has reflected on his three most unforgettable European away games as his side gets ready to take on Midtjylland this evening in the Europa League…

A dejected Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the UEFA Cup Final match between Celtic and FC Porto held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

O’Neill guided Celtic to the 2003 UEFA Cup final, where they were eventually defeated by Jose Mourinho’s Porto 3-2 in extra-time. On the eve of Celtic’s Europa League meeting with Midtjylland, the 73-year-old was asked which European away fixtures from his past remain most vivid in his memory at last night’s media conference.

He immediately pointed to wins against Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, and Boavista. “The 2003 games, yeah,” said O’Neill via Celtic’s official YouTube channel. “They are very vivid, very vivid indeed.”

“When I think about, naturally Blackburn Rovers, a big big game for us. They played very well at Celtic Park then we go and defeat them. That was important and that was important for Scottish football. I always felt that that was important for us. Then we go and beat Liverpool in the quarter-final, which was fantastic.”

Henrik Larsson of Celtic celebrates scoring during the the UEFA Cup Semi-Final between Boavista FC and Glasgow Celtic held on April 24, 2003 at the Bessa Stadium in Porto, Portugal. Celtic won the match 1-0. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

“Then we scramble over the line in the semi-final and Henrik scores the goal, then we lose to a very talented side [Porto] in the final, who spent a lot of time on the ground!”

O’Neill confirmed that the Hoops will be without both Kelechi Iheanacho and Alistair Johnston for tonight’s match in Denmark.

However, Hampden hero Callum Osmand may be involved after being included in the UEFA squad in place of the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

O’Neill is adamant it will be a tough game against the high-flying Danes: “Ironically, I actually have seen Midtjylland play, because I was covering their game for TV a few weeks ago now, and they’re very strong, so I wouldn’t think you’d start to get carried away with things,” he said. “I’m just pleased to be here, I must admit, and we’ll take it on from there. So yeah, I suppose that is just a really, really crap way of delivering it.”

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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