Club football might be on the back burner this weekend but the great Celtic or Aberdeen Euro kings debate remains in the Hotline’s front furnace.
Dons legend John McMaster’s claim in Record Sport that the Pittodrie side’s 1983 glory in Gothenburg was a bigger achievement than Celtic’s European Cup winning Lisbon Lions has sparked a red hot debate. Caller Alan Flett claimed yesterday that the Hoops had triumphed in 1967 without having to play anyone to reach the final.
But Gerry McDonald, Kirkintilloch, said: “What rubbish! Aberdeen's win was fantastic and I was cheering them on that night in Gothenburg but Celtic were champions of Europe by beating other champions. Also, if it was so easy to win, why has no other Scottish side even reached the final?” Terence McGuigan agreed. He emailed: “No surprise to see Alan Flett downplay Celtic’s achievement of winning the biggest and best European trophy having had to beat the actual champions of each country they played. That Real Madrid team Aberdeen defeated won nothing in season 82/83 and the previous season finished third in the league. Inter Milan had won two out of the three previous European Cups so I think we know whose achievement stands head and shoulders above.”
But George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “Celtic only played a grand total of nine games in what was a low key competition compared to now and they beat no one of any consequence other than Inter Milan in the final. It’s comical we keep getting told how many miles from Celtic Park the entire team lived. I’m quite sure they all arrived at the ground on the same bus. What on earth is how many miles from the ground the players lived got to do with anything let alone football?”
Stephen Butler, Glasgow, added: “Regarding John McMaster's comment about Aberdeen and Celtic’s Euro exploits…the honour does go to Aberdeen. They not only won the European Cup Winners' Cup but also the Super Cup, a feat not done by any other club in Scotland.”
Aberdeen fan Hugh McKirdy emailed: “Forty years ago we beat Real Madrid to win the Cup Winners Cup. The real achievement was overcoming Bayern Munich over two legs in the quarters though. I didn't think it was the best Real Madrid team at the time.”
Back in the here and now and it’s VAR at the heart of the arguments. Nick Walsh and Andrew Dallas have been slaughtered this week for the controversial decision to allow Fashion Sakala’s goal for Rangers against Motherwell.
But Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “Rangers’ last game saw Sakala deemed onside by a line that many thought was wrong but a goal against Rangers in the same game had shown a line clearly at the same angle which had adjudged Connor Goldson playing a player onside when there is no way it was onside. Why not the same controversy? People wanting to highlight VAR mistakes against Rangers should at least acknowledge when these same mistakes go against Rangers.”
Scotland kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign against Cyprus at Hampden tomorrow and Steve Clarke has a huge choice to make in goal with Angus Gunn, Zander Clark and Liam Kelly vying to replace injured Craig Gordon.
But Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “In my opinion none of the three has the experience for the international stage and after Craig Gordon’s injury it would have made sense to welcome David Marshall back into the fold. He has never let Scotland down.”
And Stephen Ward, Milngavie, agreed, saying: “Clarke needs to persuade David Marshall to come out of retirement as I don’t think the three goalies he has are capable of taking us to Germany.”
Finally the new anniversary Scotland strip has got fans under the collar - due to the £90 price tag. Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, quipped: “I think that £90 is ok for the new Scotland Top. I take it that we get the player as well?”
READ NEXT
