Ask any Celtic fan of a sure classic what essentially the most passionate and heartbreaking away day they’ve skilled is they usually may say the 2003 UEFA Cup Last.
A reported 80,000 Bhoys followers made their strategy to Seville for the showdown with Jose Mourinho’s Porto, who claimed the Champions League title only one 12 months later. Celtic scored twice by means of iconic hitman Henrik Larsson, however a Porto aspect that includes future family names reminiscent of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Maniche sealed a 3-2 victory in extra-time.
For Shaun Maloney, who had simply damaged into the Celtic group and who got here on in extra-time, it was an evening to recollect.
Malloney celebrates the fifth aim throughout a 2001 sport between Celtic and Dundee United (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“Scottish soccer was in an incredible place within the early 2000s,” the present Wigan Athletic supervisor tells FourFourTwo. “I bear in mind Henrik Larsson and John Hartson each being injured forward of the UEFA Cup final 16 first leg towards Stuttgart, and I acquired my first large begin. We received 3-1 and I scored.
“We then beat Liverpool en path to the ultimate and ultimately misplaced 3-2 to Jose Mourinho’s Porto – I got here on late within the sport. I’ve nonetheless by no means watched that last once more. We additionally misplaced the league title 4 days later, with Rangers pipping us on aim distinction. It was heartbreaking however, wanting again, what an unimaginable season for a teen to expertise.”
Maloney would go on to change into a mainstay within the Celtic group, successful 5 league titles and three Scottish Cups. His performances throughout the 2005-06 season even earned him Scotland’s participant of the 12 months and younger participant of the 12 months gongs.
Maloney has gone on to change into a profitable supervisor (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“I’d missed a lot of the earlier season by means of damage, then Gordon Strachan changed Martin O’Neill as boss and was eager to develop extra of the youthful lads,” recollects Maloney. “He modified my function from striker to left-winger and gave me confidence to exit and present what I may do.
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“I bear in mind seeing Andy play when he was about 9 and he was already tremendous proficient,” Maloney recollects. “I wasn’t fairly as gifted however I attempted exhausting. I opted for soccer as an alternative and, fortunately, it turned out to be a fairly good selection.”
Maloney received 5 Scottish titles and three Scottish Cups with Celtic, earlier than heading south of the border to win the FA Cup with Wigan. Add 47 Scottish caps to that haul and it is truthful to say Maloney made a really smart resolution.
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