Celtic on this Day – An incredibly lucky escape for Celtic fans in Nottingham

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The Celtic Star

·23 November 2024

Celtic on this Day – An incredibly lucky escape for Celtic fans in Nottingham

Celtic on this Day, Celtic support narrowly avoids a disaster at The City Ground Nottingham, and as Celtic beat Dunfermline a legend signs on the same day…

Nottingham Forest v Celtic, 23/11/1983

23 November 1983

Nottingham Forrest 0-0 Celtic. Having seen off AGF Aarhus, and Sporting Lisbon in the previous rounds of the UEFA Cup, Davie Hay’s men had the tough assignment of facing Brian Clough’s formidable Forest side at The City Ground.

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Shown live on the BBC, conditions for the UEFA Cup third round first leg had been cold with the grass pitch not being the prettiest to play along. Attracting a Scottish football celebrity crowd, Billy McNeill, who was then manager of Manchester City, alongside Alex Ferguson [Aberdeen boss] and Jock Wallace [Rangers manager] had all travelled to watch the match.

Nottingham Forest v Celtic, 23/11/1983

However, the game had been marred with not about the action on it, but the unsafe nature of crowding off it. Crushing within the 6000 packed away support meant that the game had to be temporary stopped by Spanish referee Emilio Soriano Aladren.

Thankfully, despite dangerous situation in the away end, there were no life-threatening injuries. During the stoppage, Brian Clough put a Celtic flag on the pitch. When play was resumed, the Hoops held out for a 0-0 draw. Ultimately, Clough’s men would win the second leg in Glasgow 2-1 but would be beaten in the semi-final of the competition from Belgian outfit RSC Anderlecht.

Nottingham Forest v Celtic, 23/11/1983

23 November 2011

13 years ago today, Celtic 2-1 Dunfermline. Following a dismal start to the 2011/2012 league season, Neil Lennon’s side were starting to gain some momentum with three wins on the bounce including this important victory versus the Pars. Gary Hooper’s ninth goal of the season along with James Forrest’ early strike meant that Celtic had reduced the gap at the top of the table to 7 points with the Hoops also utilising a game in hand over Rangers. South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung’s penalty miss meant Celtic had scored only one spot-kick from their last six in the league. A remarkable stat.

23 November 2011

Mikael Lustig, Aberdeen v Celtic, Pittodrie, 9 November 2014. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Mikael Lustig signed for Celtic. On the same day as the Dunfermline victory, the Swedish defender arrived from Norwegian side Rosenborg on a pre-contract. Lustig would not actually make his Hoops debut until 3 March 2012 in a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie where he was culpable for the Dons goal. Officially spending eight trophy-laden years in Glasgow [only really seven], Lustig would win 16 major honours in an historic period domestically for the club. Eight league championships, four Scottish Cup’s, and four Scottish League Cup’s, the right-back is renowned for his undeniable passion he displayed for the club which was rewarded with winners medals. Starring 276 times for the Hoops, in recent years, Lustig spoke of his adoration for Celtic when he emotionally said, “I love that club and I never thought I would feel such a love for a club.”

Scott Brown and Mikael Lustig of Celtic lift the trophy in victory after the Betfred Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on December 2, 2018 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Conor Spence