Early Eighties Classics – Celtic versus Real Madrid

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The Celtic Star

·4 settembre 2025

Early Eighties Classics – Celtic versus Real Madrid

James McDevitt this evening joins our team of fine Celtic writers and in tribute to the late, great David Potter….

David Potter, Celtic in the Eighties. Published on 5 September 2025. Order you copy now over at celticstarbooks.com/

David’s final Celtic book ‘Celtic in the Eighties’ is officially released tomorrow, many of you will already have had your copy in the post. If you haven’t ordered yet you can do so now on our bookstore and we’ll post out immediately.

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James will be taking us through that eventful decade in Celtic history starting this evening with his take on Celtic’s match-up with Real Madrid in the European Cup quarter final in March 1980.

He intends to follow this debut article on The Celtic Star with similar content covering Celtic v Juventus in 1981, Ajax in 1982, Sporting Lisbon in 1983 and Rapid Vienna (for all the wrong reasons!) in 1984…You get the picture and again many of you will have vivd memories of all these matches as James takes us through these memorable moments for Celtic in the Eighties…

So here is James McDevitts debut article on The Celtic Star for you to enjoy..

EARLY EIGHTIES CLASSICS – CELTIC v REAL MADRID

For Celtic fans of a certain age, the early 1980s produced a series of memorable European clashes against the giants of European football. Although ultimately eliminated each time, these ties are a reminder of a time when Celtic could compete with Europe’s elite.

The first of these was against Real Madrid in March 1980. Celtic found themselves in the quarter final after disposing of Partizan Tirana of Albania and the Irish champions, Dundalk. Celtic’s progress had been unconvincing, going 0-2 down on aggregate to Partizan early in the second leg at Celtic Park before recovering to win, and battling their way to a 0-0 draw in the second leg away to the Irish part-timers from Co. Louth. This, after a nervy 3-2 win in the first leg at Celtic Park. However, such was the nature of European competition in those days that a young and inexperienced side such as Billy McNeill’s Celtic could reach the quarter final thanks in large part to a fortuitous draw.

Several other factors are important to bear in mind when considering Celtic’s performances in the 1980s. European competition looked very different in those days. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, far fewer countries and therefore clubs participated. Only the League Champions from each country qualified for the European Cup, along with the previous year’s European Cup Winners, who were given the chance to defend their trophy.

It was the same in the old European Cup Winners’ Cup, meaning that the pattern of fixtures was very predictable: Round 1 in September, Round 2 in October, the Quarter Finals in March, the Semi Finals in April and the Final in May. The UEFA Cup usually had more than one club from each country, meaning an additional round before Christmas and a two-legged final. All three were knockout competitions, which left no margin for error.

In the world at large, there was no internet and there were no mobile phones. In Scotland, live football on TV was a rarity, usually limited to the Scottish Cup Final, the Scotland v England Home international at the end of the season and occasional away matches featuring Scotland.

Coverage of domestic league football in other European leagues such as Italy or Spain was almost always limited to very short clips shown on lunchtime preview shows such as Football Focus or On the Ball. Reliable information about European teams was hard to find, and almost impossible to find for teams playing in Eastern Europe.

The vast revenues from TV companies for broadcasting rights to live matches were still more than a decade away in the future. These would alter the competitive landscape completely, favouring clubs from the big leagues of England, Italy, Spain and Germany. In the early 1980s, the playing field was far more level, meaning that the outcome of matches in European competitions was less predictable than has been the case in recent years. Celtic Park in March 1980 was also a very different place from what it is today. With an official capacity of 67,000, it had only 9000 seats.

For most matches, fans paid at the gate and the ground was around half full. The only matches in which the ground was close to capacity were normally those against Rangers or against glamourous European opposition. The latter fixtures, especially under floodlights and played before a packed, passionate and highly partisan support, meant that European nights at Celtic Park had a magic all of their own.

In the past, especially in the Stein years, the incredible atmosphere generated by the fans had inspired the Celtic players to new heights against illustrious opposition. Real Madrid in the European Cup quarter final was as glamourous a tie as the fans could have hoped for. As it would turn out, the fans would again play their part in inspiring Celtic to a famous victory.

There was huge interest in the game not just in Glasgow but across Scotland, other parts of the UK and Ireland. Demand for tickets was such that all 67000 tickets were sold out within days. Celtic claimed they could have sold double that number. As it was, on the evening of the game the stadium was absolutely thronged, with many reckoning that the attendance was well over the official limit.

The Real team combined Spanish internationals such as Jose Pirri, Jose Camacho, Juanito and Santillana with the German international Uli Stielike and English international Laurie Cunningham. The side was very strong in midfield, including a certain Vincente Del Bosque, who would later manage the club to Champions League triumphs in 2000 and 2002. In 1980, he was a midfield enforcer, employing his undoubted skill as well as some of the dark arts to exert control in the middle of the park.

In the first half, roared on by the huge, passionate crowd, Celtic tried hard but made little headway against a strong, well-organised defence. In fact, Real were much the better side in the first half, moving the ball around smoothly and assuredly. They frequently threatened Celtic’s goal, but McNeill’s side competed bravely and reached half-time level at 0-0.

In the second half, with the massive crowd urging them forward, Celtic’s young players took the game to Real with high levels of energy and spirit. Allan Sneddon, enjoying his finest hour in a Celtic jersey, repeatedly found room on the right-hand side. He played a crucial role in both goals.

The first, in 61 minutes, came when his low shot into the penalty area was spilled by the goalkeeper and George McCluskey scored from the loose ball to give Celtic the lead. The stadium went absolutely crazy. Those who will remember the old Jungle will recall how dangerously crowded it could be during big matches. In the upper half especially, where there were fewer crush barriers, the surge forward after the goal was frightening.

The noise was deafening as the supporters celebrated with every song and chant from the repertoire. Every tackle was cheered and every effort applauded. The Celtic team responded to this, with many of them reaching new heights in their performance. Celtic continued to hammer at the Real goal. Then, with 15 minutes left, Sneddon again crossed from the right into the penalty area where Johnny Doyle scored with a glorious header.

Even at two goals down, Real remained a threat but Celtic successfully held on to their lead until the match ended. It was a truly remarkable result. Real had certainly been surprised by Celtic’s speed, energy and skill. As Patrick Barclay stated in The Guardian: “Celtic achieved one of the most remarkable results of even their extensive European history”.

No one was more surprised than Laurie Cunningham. Perhaps there was more than a touch of sour grapes in his comments after the game, when he stated that he was puzzled that a side as limited as Celtic had beaten Real Madrid.

He was confident that Real would overturn Celtic’s advantage at the Bernabeu. Even Patrick Barclay, full of praise for Celtic’s brave and inspired performance, stated that despite Celtic’s first leg advantage, “Real must be favourites to go through”. However, regardless of the scale of the task which awaited them in Spain, there was no question that Celtic had given themselves a fantastic opportunity to progress to the semi-final.

Two weeks later, much to everyone’s surprise, Celtic started the game brightly but George McCluskey missed a wonderful chance to add to their lead. Shortly afterwards, Tom McAdam had a great volley which brought out an excellent save from the Real goalkeeper.

However, Real slowly began to assert their authority, aided by some cynical tackling which went unpunished by the referee. Real pulled one back on the stroke of half time, then levelled the tie on aggregate ten minutes into the second half. Real dominated the second half and scored the winner with only five minutes remaining.

It was a cruel way to be eliminated. Celtic’s young players had come very close to obtaining a famous result. The failure to take either of the early chances in the Bernabeu had proved critical, as had the loss of the first goal on the brink of half-time.

The relative inexperience of the side was another important factor. However, hopes were high that this group of mainly young players would only improve and that future glory in Europe could be possible. Sadly, it was not to be. Fans would have to wait 18 months, until September 1981, to have another crack at the aristocracy of European football. Then, Celtic would face La Vecchia Signora, The Old Lady herself, Juventus.

James McDevitt

Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now! In Celtic shops on Friday…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out now!

Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is published tomorrow, Friday 5 September by Celtic Star Books.

All pre-ordered copies have now been signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain who has also written the foreword for David Potter’s final book.

These copies have now been posted to everyone who has pre-ordered with copies being send all over the world. It’s been an incredible response, so thank you to each and every one of you who will be receiving your signed book shorty.

Celtic in the Eighties will be available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops from Friday 5 September. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.