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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Martin Compston reveals Jose Mourinho secret to UEFA Cup final success against Celtic

Jose Mourinho, or the 'Special One' as he was once referred, has always displayed that winning mentality. 

And more often than not, that's reflected by his teams out on the pitch. 

Martin O'Neill's Celtic team achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching their first major European final since 1970 when they faced off against José Mourinho's Porto in Seville.

However, their dreams were shattered by Mourinho and his determined Portuguese side, who clinched a 3-2 victory after a gruelling period of extra time back in May 2003.

Porto employed every tactic at their disposal, including the shrewd use of football's dark arts, to ensure they emerged triumphant in this intense clash that many supporters still discuss to this day.

Celtic-daft Scottish actor, Martin Compston, had the pleasure of sharing a four hour journey with Mourinho years later whilst travelling to play at a charity football event - and he revealed how he actually pulled up the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Chelsea boss for the way his players acted on that very night in the Estadio de La Cartuja. 


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Speaking as a guest on Let Me Be Frank Podcast, the Line of Duty star said: "I had a great chat with him - me and Kevin Bridges actually - when we were on the way to Soccer Aid.

"We trained in London and then played at Old Trafford, so there was like four hours. 

"Me, Kevin, Jose and his assistant sat and he couldn't have been better with his time. 

"There were some phenomenal stories. But of course we got on to that (Celtic facing Mourinho's Porto). 

"I said ‘Come on, what about all the rolling about’.

"He did say – whether he was amusing us or not – he said it was the most he’d fought for any game. The team were dead on their feet in Seville and it could have gone any way.

"But he did say ‘We were willing to do things to win that game that you weren't’ - all that (rolling around) stuff and maybe that was the difference."

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