Celtic v Real Madrid: recalling their last meeting in the European Cup

For two great clubs trying to restore their glory days in European football, the 1979-80 European Cup had been a struggle for both Celtic and Real Madrid. The Scottish champions, managed by Billy McNeill, trailed Partizan Tirana 2-0 in the first round before scoring four goals in 11 minutes to win the tie 4-2. And they were far from convincing in a 3-2 aggregate win over Dundalk in the second round.

Their win over the Irish champions took Celtic through to their first European Cup quarter-final since 1974, where they would meet the mighty Real Madrid. The Spanish giants were far from the intimidating prospect they had been in the 1960s. In fact, Vujadin Boskov was the latest manager trying to win a seventh European Cup for the club, their previous success coming in 1966.

Real eased past Levski Sofia in the first round, winning 3-0 on aggregate, but they were only narrow winners against Porto in the second round. They were trailing 2-0 in the first leg until a vital away goal from English winger Laurie Cunningham turned the tie in their favour. A 1-0 win back home in Madrid was enough to take them through on away goals.

Cunningham was happy to be facing Celtic in the last eight. “We are well pleased with this draw,” he said. Boskov agreed, noting that Celtic were technically inferior to his team. “It is vital we win without losing a goal,” said McNeill before the first leg of the quarter-final. “The game gives us a chance to find out how good we really are.”

For long periods of the first half it looked as if Cunningham, Boskov and the previews would be spot on. The visitors dominated from the off. Writing in the Guardian, Patrick Barclay noted that Celtic went “in at half-time to all appearance hopelessly outplayed by a