Celtic on this Day – Racing Club players spat, kicked and tripped at Hampden

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The Celtic Star

·18. Oktober 2024

Celtic on this Day – Racing Club players spat, kicked and tripped at Hampden

Racing Club players spat, kicked and tripped but could not stop Jock Stein’s European Cup winners at a packed Hampden Park On This Day in 1967…

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

The Intercontinental Cup

The Intercontinental Cup 1st leg encounter at Scotland’s national stadium would be the first of three ties between the winners of the 1966/1967 European Cup and the champions of the 1967 Copa Libertadores, who were Racing Club from Argentina.

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Rules of the competition varied from traditional European competition format. Both clubs would compete against each other in their respective countries. Aggregate scores were not taken into account and instead teams would be awarded two points for a win, one point for a draw and nothing for a defeat. Theoretically, Celtic could have beaten the Argentinians 7-0 in Scotland but lose 2-1 away from home and the tie would have to be decided by a play-off.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

In reality, Celtic won the 1st leg 1-0, Racing beat the Hoops 2-1 in South America which meant a play-off was held in Uruguay with the Copa Libertadores victors winning the Intercontinental Cup by a solitary goal.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

Marred with controversy

However, the 1st leg 57 years ago today, was marred with controversy. Issues arose prior to the game around Jimmy Johnstone’s eligibility. Jinky had been sent-off against St Johnstone and there was dubiety over whether he could play in the fixture or not. Similarly, Racing Club striker Humberto Maschio was also under suspension after being ordered off in a league game in Argentina resulting in a six-game suspension. But, crucially, the Intercontinental Cup was not sanctioned by FIFA, therefore both Jock Stein and Juan Jose Pizzuti played their star players in all three matches and ignored instructions from their football authorities back home.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

It is on record, both managers expressed publicly a willingness to have two of the best teams on the park. There were no excuses. The spectacle would be enhanced by Johnstone and Maschio emerging from the tunnel.

Racing Club arrived in Scotland a week before the game. They trained at Hampden Park with the game gathering surprisingly low-key coverage. The Argentinians complained about the rain and the cold weather. In Argentina, matches would be cancelled if there was rain.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

Jock Stein’s preparation was more intense

Jock Stein’s preparation was slightly more intense. Celtic had wanted a week to prepare like their opponents but had to fulfil a league fixture with Partick Thistle four days before the tie. The Celts comfortably defeated the Jags 5-1 at Firhill, it and did not seem to affect their performance on the Wednesday night!

Meanwhile, Racing Club players were on a £2000 bonus if they beat Celtic over two legs. Equate that to today’s value and you will reach a staggering figure of £37,000. The Argentinians basic annual salary was £5000. Therefore, it emphasised the seriousness of the fixture for Celtic’s opponents.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

On the pitch, Celtic failed to find a rhythm. The game was marred with Racing Club’s defensive attitude, persistent fouling, delaying of the restart and disgraceful off the ball actions.

At half-time Jimmy Johnstone, who had been kicked up and down the park, returned to the dressing-room with his hair soaked in spit.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

Billy McNeill scored the only goal

Billy McNeill who headed home the tie’s only goal thanks to a delightful John Hughes corner, had been elbowed in the process whilst jumping for the ball. The Celtic captain ended up with a black eye as a result of the challenge.

During the encounter, Bertie Auld had been headbutted and Bobby Lennox suffered a vicious cut on his ear which culminated in Lennox pulling out of the Scotland squad for the October internationals in 1967. Jock Stein told the press post-match that, “almost every player needed treatment for knocks.”

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

Nastiest opponent to ever play against a Celtic side

Juan Jose Rodriguez was Racing Club’s main culprit. Possibly, the nastiest opponent to ever play against a Celtic side. Ranging from shocking tackles, to acts of brutality on the pitch, his display at Hampden 57 years ago was appalling and summed up the callousness on show by the Argentinians.

Over 90,000 supporters turned out at Hampden to watch the game. Celtic generated around £60,000 in gate receipts which was a record at the time for any football match in Scotland.

World Club Championship. Celtic v Racing Club Argentina, 18 October 1967. Photos The Celtic Wiki

Stein’s side faced yet more difficult circumstances in the 2nd leg. They had not done enough at the Avellaneda to snatch a draw, and subsequently lost the play-off decider a month later in neutral Uruguay territory.

Celtic’s victory at Hampden will always be overshadowed by the thuggish nature of Racing Club’s tactics.