Paradise witnessed a seven-goal thriller on October 31, 2001 as Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side secured a 4-3 victory over Italian giants, Juventus, in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The European campaign might have ultimately ended in disappointment as the Hoops missed out narrowly on qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament, but the win over Juventus remains a special night to remember, with Chris Sutton’s stunning strike the pick of the seven goals.
Alessandro Del Piero who gave the Italians the lead on 19 minutes, hitting a stunning 25-yard free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the net.
That lead lasted just five minutes, however, before Joos Valgaeren headed home an equaliser for Martin O’Neill’s side. And on the stroke of half-time, the Hoops took the lead through Chris Sutton. Del Piero was replaced by David Trezeguet at the break and the Frenchman quickly made his mark with an equaliser on 51 minutes, but Henrik Larsson restored Celtic’s lead six minutes later, converting a penalty.
Then came the goal of the night on 64 minutes. A free-kick into the area was headed into the path of Sutton who, from 14 yards out, smashed home an unstoppable left-foot volley. And though Trezeguet scored again for Juve, the Hoops held out for a memorable 4-3 win.
Speaking to the Celtic View about that game, then Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: “Getting nine points and going out was a bit disappointing but they tell me that the match against Juventus was as good a game as has been played in the Champions League this season.
“The players must draw some sort of confidence and comfort from that and know that if they play as well as they can do like that they are capable of winning big matches. Obviously they have to play to that standard, exacting though it is to achieve those results, but at this minute in terms of the development of the football club it's wonderful.
“I'm not going to let anyone tell me differently. We had nine points in the group, we beat all three games at home, and if you had said when I first took over here that we would be in the Champions League and we would have victories over Ajax in the qualifying stages and also victories over those three sides, it would have been stretching belief somewhat.
“We've a great never-say-die attitude and we have great ability in the side. We've proved that in those matches but we have got plenty to learn as we also proved during the competition.”
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