No. 31 – Celtic 1966 Semi-Final 2nd Leg

No. 31 – Celtic 1966 Semi Final 2nd Leg

There have been many epic European Nights at Anfield, but the 1966 European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg is right up there as one one of the best. In 1966, the Cup-Winners Cup draw pitted the great friends Jock Stein and Bill Shankly against one another.

Liverpool had lost their first leg (just 5 days before) at Parkhead by a goal to nil, Celtic then travelled to Anfield on the 19th of April 1966, with Liverpool needing at least two goals to go through to the final.

Liverpool began the first half attacking the Celtic goal, but despite hitting the bar early on, could not find the decisive goal as the half time whistle blew.

With both teams attacking with intent after the half time interval, Liverpool opened the scoring in the 61st minute through a wonderful free kick by Tommy Smith. Only six minutes later Liverpool grabbed a second, Geoff Strong who had been struggling with an injury during the second half, met Ian Callaghans cross with a thunderous header into the Celtic net.

Liverpool were now ahead on aggregate and with just one minute remaining Liverpool looked on course to progress to the final, but Bobby Lennox managed to score past Tommy Lawrence but to the Kop’s delight the goal was disallowed much to the Celtic players and fans disapproval….

Liverpool were through to their first ever European Final…!

The European Cup Winners’ Cup Semi-Final 2nd leg
Liverpools Team : Tommy Lawrence, Chris Lawler, Gerry Byrne, Gordon Milne, Ron Yeats, Willie Stevenson, Ian Callaghan, Geoff Strong, Ian St John, Tommy Smith, Peter Thompson