The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 96- A video Interview and blog presentation with Scottish Author Mr. Matt Corr, discussing Celtic Glasgow’s run in the 2002/03 season of the UEFA Cup)

 For this interview, I look back at Celtic Glasgow’s run in the 2002/03 season of the UEFA Cup.

The Interview will be as a video link companion, while the Blog will be a presentation of the events.

The Interviewee is:

Scottish Author Mr. Matt Corr

 

Mr. Corr is the Author Celtic Glasgow related books:

Invincible (2023), Harry Hood: Twice As Good (2022)

And co-Author of Walfrid & The Bould Bhoys: Celtic's Founding Fathers, First Season & Early Stars (2022)

 

Mr. Corr’s contact info:

Twitter: @Boola_vogue

Link to books:

https://celticstarbooks.com/product/invincible-by-matt-corr/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Matt-Corr/e/B089MBL1BM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

 

For more Celtic Glasgow related books, also check out:

https://celticstarbooks.com/

 

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xAyhTdilwmqKrcNI4FJYB?si=82oKLEVtQauHACkt7wNgSA

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-soccernostalgia-interview-part-96-a-video/id1601074369?i=1000669534965

 

Celtic FC in the UEFA Cup 2002/03

 

When the 2002/03 season kicked off, Celtic Glasgow had the opportunity to play in the group stages of the Champions League as 2002 Scotland Champions.

However, they were eliminated by Swiss side Basel in August 2002 and had to drop down into the UEFA Cup.

Little did they know that this would be a memorable adventure despite the ultimate defeat in the Final in May 2003.

Celtic were managed by Northern Irish Manager Michael O'Neill, who since arriving in 2000 had transformed the club.

The side had won the 2001 and 2002 Scottish Champions. They were a force featuring the goalscoring talents of Swedish striker Henrik Larsson. The side also included the likes of English striker Chris Sutton, Welsh striker John Hartson, Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov, Scottish midfielder Paul Lambert and the Northern Irish midfielder Neil Lennon just to name a few.

The transfer activity was light in the offseason. The arrivals included Swedish goalkeeper Magnus Hedmann (from Coventry City), Danish defender Ulrich Laursen (from Hibernian) and Spanish striker David Fernandez (from Livingston).

 

The First round of the UEFA Cup was easy for Celtic as they faced Lithuanian side FK Sūduva. On September 19, 2002, Celtic won (8-0) at home and (2-0) away on the return fixture on October 3^rd.

 

For the Second round, they faced English side Blackburn Rovers, managed by Graeme Souness.

On October 31, 2002, at home, Celtic won (1-0) through a late Henrik Larsson goal. For the Return Leg, at Blackburn on November 14^th, Celtic came away with a (2-0) win.

 

Photo From: Official Match Programme, Liverpool v. Celtic 2003

(October 31, 2002, UEFA Cup, Celtic Glasgow 1-Blackburn Rovers 0)

Photo From: Official Match Programme, Celtic v. Liverpool 2003

(November 14, 2002, UEFA Cup, Blackburn Rovers 0- Celtic Glasgow 2)

For the Third round, Celtic faced tougher opposition in Spanish side Celta Vigo.

On November 28, 2002, at home, Celtic won (1-0) through a Henrik Larsson strike.

In the Return Leg, at Vigo, on December 12^th, Celtic lost (1-2) but squeezed through due to the away goals rule, thanks to Hartson’s precious away strike.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, January 2003

(November 28, 2002, UEFA Cup, Celtic Glasgow 1-Celta Vigo 0)

As the season reached its midpoint, Celtic were in a tight battle with Rangers Glasgow for the Scottish League title.

The European adventure was unexpected, as Celtic had been anonymous in Europe for decades.

The new calendar year 2003, started with the One Eighth Finals of the UEFA Cup.

For this round, Celtic faced German side VfB Stuttgart. On February 20, 2003, at home, Celtic won (3-1) to gain the advantage. A week later on February 27^th, at Stuttgart, Celtic put the tie away by scoring twice in the first quarter of an hour. Stuttgart staged a comeback and did eventually win (3-2) but Celtic were through.

 

Celtic 3-1 Stuttgart, UEFA Cup 2003 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Q82u31ftIn

— The Retro Celtic🍀 (@RetroCeltic) February 20, 2017

The Quarterfinals appeared to be Celtic’s toughest test as they faced English opponents Liverpool.

On March 13, 2003, at home, Celtic were held to a (1-1) draw as Emile Heskey quickly ruled out Henrik Larsson’s early strike.

Liverpool appeared as favorites for the Return Leg, at Anfield on March 20^th, however, Celtic showed its growing confidence in Europe by winning (2-0) and advancing.

 

Photo From: Official Match Programme, Liverpool v. Celtic 2003

(March 13, 2003, UEFA Cup, Celtic Glasgow 1-Liverpool 1)

Photo From: World Soccer, May 2003

(March 20, 2003, UEFA Cup, Liverpool 0- Celtic Glasgow 2)

In the Semifinals, Celtic’s opponents were the Portuguese side Boavista. On April 10^th, 2003, at home, just like against Liverpool, Celtic were held to a (1-1) tie.

For the Return Leg at Porto, on April 24^th, Celtic came away with an away (1-0) win through a late Henrik Larsson’s strike.

 

Photo From: World Soccer, July 2003

(April 24, 2003, UEFA Cup, Boavista 0- Celtic Glasgow 1)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2980, May 20, 2003 

For the Final, on May 21, 2003, at Sevilla in Spain, Celtic faced Portuguese giants Porto, managed by a then unknown Jose Mourinho.

Celtic went into this match with one eye on the League title as the final matchday of the Scottish season was to be played on the following Sunday.

Porto took the lead through Derlei in the 45^th minute. Just two minutes into the second half, Henrik Larsson tied the match.

Porto’s Russian midfielder Dmitriy Alenichev gave Porto the lead once more in the 54^th minute. Henrik Larsson came through again, just minutes later, and tied the match (2-2) in the 57^th minute.

The match had to go to extra time and Derlei would finally give Porto the go-ahead goal in the 115^th minute.

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2980bis, May 23, 2003

(May 21, 2003, UEFA Cup, Porto 3-Celtic Glasgow 2)

Porto were UEFA Cup Champions and would win the Champions League in the following season.

Afterwards, the Celtic contingent including the Martin O’Neill complained of Porto’s gamesmanship.

Celtic’s disappointment was compounded on the following Sunday, as Rangers won the League title on goal difference.

Celtic had let two trophies out of their grasp. The European run may have cost them the League title and the stress of the final League match may have affected their Final against Porto.

Regardless, it had been a particularly good season for Celtic in Europe. This had been their first ever Final since the 1970 Champions Cup.

 

 

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2980, May 20, 2003

(Celtic Glasgow squad 2002/03)

 

The Celtic Football Club-Glasgow (2002/03 season):

Players who took part in these matches (on the field or on the bench and on the books):

Goalkeeper:

1- Jonathan Gould (July 18, 1968, Paddington) (aged 34 years old at the time) (left in January 2003 to Preston North End / England)

20-Robert ‘Rab’ Douglas (April 24, 1972, Lanark) (aged 30-31 years old at the time)

21- Magnus Hedman (Sweden) (March 19, 1973, Huddinge, Sweden) (aged 29-30 years old at the time)

22-David James Marshall (March 5, 1985, Glasgow) (aged 17-18 years old at the time)

26-Francisco Javier Sánchez Broto (Spain) (August 25, 1971, Barcelona, Spain) (aged 31 years old at the time) (arrived January 2003)

Barry John Corr (January 13, 1981, Glasgow) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

 

Defenders:

3- Mohammed Sylla (Guinea) (March 13, 1977, Bouaké, Ivory Coast) (aged 25-26 years old at the time)

4- Jackie McNamara (October 24, 1973, Glasgow) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

5- Joos Valgaeren (Belgium) (March 3, 1976, Leuven, Belgium) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

6- Dianbobo Baldé (Guinea) (October 5, 1975, Marseille, France) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

16-Ulrik Laursen (Denmark) (February 28, 1976, Odense, Denmark) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

17-Didier Agathe (France) (August 16, 1975, Saint-Pierre, Réunion) (aged 27 years old at the time)

23-Stanislav Varga (Slovakia) (October 8, 1972, Lipany, Czechoslovakia) (aged 29-30 years old at the time) (arrived in February 2003)

35-Johan Mjällby (Sweden) (February 9, 1971, Järfälla, Sweden) (aged 31-32 years old at the time)

35- Thomas Boyd (November 24, 1965, Glasgow) (aged 36-37 years old at the time)

40-Stephen Crainey (June 22, 1981, Glasgow) (aged 21 years old at the time)

41-John Kennedy (August 18, 1983, Airdrie) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

Ryan McCann (September 21, 1981, Blantyre) (aged 20-21 years old at the time) (returned from loan in January 2003)

 

Midfielders:

8-Alan Thompson (England) (December 22, 1973, Newcastle upon Tyne, England) (aged 28-29 years old at the time)

11-Colin Healy (Republic of Ireland) (March 14, 1980, Cork, Ireland) (aged 22-23 years old at the time)

14- Paul Lambert (August 7, 1969, Glasgow) (aged 33 years old at the time)

15-Bobby Petta (Holland) (August 6, 1974, Rotterdam, Netherlands) (aged 28 years old at the time)

18-Neil Lennon (Northern Ireland) (June 25, 1971, Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland) (aged 31 years old at the time)

19-Stilian Petrov (Bulgaria) (July 5, 1979, Montana, Bulgaria) (aged 23 years old at the time)

22-Stéphane Bonnes (France) (February 26, 1978, Mulhouse, France) (aged 24-25 years old at the time)

29-Shaun Richard Maloney (January 24, 1983, Miri, Malaysia) (aged 19-20 years old at the time)

30-Steve Guppy (England) (March 29, 1969, Winchester, Hampshire, England) (aged 33-34 years old at the time)

34-Mark Fotheringham (October 22, 1983, Dundee) (aged 18-19 years old at the time)

39-Jamie Smith (November 20, 1980, Alexandria) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

43-Liam Miller (Republic of Ireland) (February 13, 1981, Cork, Ireland-February 9, 2018, Cork, Ireland) (aged 21-22 years old at the time)

Michael Doyle (Republic of Ireland) (August 8, 1981, Dublin, Ireland) (aged 21 years old at the time)

Jon-Paul McGovern (October 3, 1980, Glasgow) (aged 21-22years old at the time) (Loaned to Sheffield United)

 

Forwards:

7- Henrik Larsson (Sweden) (September 20, 1971, Helsingborg, Sweden) (aged 30-31 years old at the time)

9-Chris Sutton (England) (March 10, 1973, Nottingham, England) (aged 29-30 years old at the time)

10- John Hartson (Wales) (April 5, 1975, Swansea, Wales) (aged 27-28 years old at the time)

32-Simon Lynch (May 19, 1982, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) (aged 20-21 years old at the time) (left in January 2003 to Preston North End / England)

37-David Fernández Miramontes (Spain) (January 20, 1976, La Coruña, Spain) (aged 26-27 years old at the time)

Note:

1-In another source,

David Fernandez is number 12.

Colin Healy is number 24.

Tom Boys is number 2.

 

Coach: Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill (Northern Ireland) (March 1, 1952, Kilrea, Northern Ireland) (aged 50-51 years old at the time)

Team Captain: Paul Lambert

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro

Shirt Sponsor: ntl / ntl: home Digital TV

 

 

Transfer Activity:

 

Arrivals:

David Fernández (Livingston FC)

Magnus Hedman (Coventry City / England)

Ulrik Laursen (Hibernian FC)

Michael Doyle (back from loan from Aarhus GF (Denmark))

Liam Miller (back from loan from Aarhus GF (Denmark))

Stanislav Varga (Sunderland AFC / England) (arrived in February 2003)

Ryan McCann (back from loan in January 2003, from St. Johnstone FC)

Sánchez Broto (arrived in January 2003 from Livingston FC)

Paul Shields (back from loan in January 2003, Queen Of The South)

Departures:

Simon Lynch (left in January 2003 to Preston North End / England)

Jonathan Gould (left in January 2003 to Preston North End / England)

 

References:

France Football, Issue 2980, May 20, 2003

France Football, Issue 2980bis, May 23, 2003

Onze-Mondial, Issue 171, April 2003

Onze-Mondial, Issue 173, June 2003

World Soccer, May 2003

World Soccer, July 2003