Celtic will be looking to get their first Champions League points on the board when they welcome the visit of Atlético Madrid to Celtic Park this evening.
Undoubtedly the toughest test of the campaign for Celtic, Atlético Madrid currently sit at the top of the group, level on 4 points with second-placed Lazio.
It won’t be the first time the two sides have faced off in European competition, as they have lined up against each other on six different occasions prior to tonight, with some of those matches proving to be controversial to say the least.
Here is a look back to the three previous occasions the Spaniards travelled to Parkhead in European competitions:
Celtic 0-0 Atlético Madrid // 1974 European Cup semi-final
Celtic line-up: Connaghan, Hay, Brogan, Murray, McNeill, McCluskey, Johnstone, Hood, Deans (Wilson, 70), Callaghan, Dalglish.
Subs: Hunter, McGrain, Lennox.
This encounter resulted in one of the most violent games ever witnessed in Scotland, with the Spaniards coming into the match with the intention of hurting the Celtic players. Some of the tackles on Jimmy Johnstone that night would have resulted in jail-time had they happened on the street, with Atlético’s Ruben Diaz admitting as much.
Another Atlético player, Miguel Reina, said that Diaz could have “decapitated” Jinky with one of his tackles, emphasising just how barbaric the Spaniards were as they three red cards and seven bookings.
Diego Simeone’s side will be wearing a replica kit from that fateful evening when they take to the field in Glasgow tonight, something that will most certainly be poorly received by the Celtic Park faithful.
Celtic 1-2 Atlético Madrid // 1985 European Cup Winner’s Cup
Celtic line-up: Bonner, McGrain (McInally 79), Burns, Aitken, McGugan, Grant, Provan, McStay (McAdam 65), Johnston, Macleod, McClair.
Subs: Latchford, O’Leary, Archdeacon.
After a Maurice Johnston equaliser secured Celtic a 1-1 draw in Madrid, fans were hopeful heading back to Glasgow where the game was held behind closed doors as a punishment from UEFA for the scenes in the tie against Rapid Vienna at Celtic Park the previous year.
The lack of backing from the supporters meant the Hoops didn’t have the added energy to get the win, losing out on the day.
Murdo MacLeod missed a big opportunity early on and Celtic were punished by Atleti, with the Spaniards going 2-0 up before Roy Aitken got a goal back.
Celtic 0-1 Atletico Madrid // Europa League Group Stage 2011/12
Celtic line-up: Forster, Majstorovic, Ledley (Mulgrew 38), Loovens, Matthews, Ki Sung-Yeung, Kayal, Wanyama (Hooper 46), Samaras, Stokes (Brown 76), Forrest.
Subs: Zaluska, Twardzik, McCourt, Bangura.
Celtic were once again unsuccessful as Atleti travelled to Celtic Park back in November 2011 and the Spaniards secured qualification for the next round on the night, a long-range strike from Arda Turan securing a narrow win.
This left Celtic needing a win from their final group game away to Udinese to qualify for the next round, a game that they drew with Gary Hooper’s opener being cancelled out just before half-time by Antonio Di Natale.
James Forrest is the only surviving member of the Celtic side who faced our opponents last time round and there is a good chance that he will make an appearance again this evening.
JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE
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