Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YOU’RE NEXT STEVIE
He’s downed Celtic and scared Scotland... now Imps hitman Lee is warning Rangers boss
LEE CASCIARO knows what it takes to stun Celtic. The hitman has also scared the wits out of Scotland.
Now he’s out to bag an incredible hat-trick and rock Rangers.
The Lincoln Red Imps frontman was the goal hero when the part-timers from Gibraltar caused one of the greatest shocks in European football as they humbled the Hoops in the Champions League qualifiers in 2016.
Then boss Brendan Rodgers was left gobsmacked as his first game in charge was a nightmare 1-0 defeat to the minnows.
Celtic turned around the tie in the second leg but Casciaro was left with the incredible memories of a clash that made legends.
It wasn’t the first time he’d made histor y either as he became Gibraltar’s first official goalscorer on the global stage the previous year – when he silenced Hampden to draw level against Scotland.
It finished 6-1 but Casciaro is out to create more history after the Red Imps were pulled out of the hat with Rangers in the Europa League second qualifying round.
He said: “I don’t think there are many players who can say they h av e s c o re d a ga i n st C e l t i c ,
Scotland and Rangers, so that would be a great achievement if I could do it.
“It was incredible scoring the winner against Celtic and doing it at Hampden was special as well. I think we gave them a fright for 25 minutes and I seem to have a good record against Scottish teams.
“You just have to hope you get an opportunity and when it comes around you are mentally y right g and don’t scuff it. To play against a historic team eam like Rangers having ng already faced Celtic is like a dream come true for all of us.”
Casciaro admitted the draw brings the memories of f four years ago all al l flooding back – not t that he would every forget t it it.
The military policeman was mobbed when he went back to work and he said: “The victory in 2016 was incredible. That was probably the first time we were treated as professionals. There was so much media coverage after the game, none of us were used to that. Celtic had a few chances but we managed to hold them off and when the chance came around I was fortunate enough to be there at the right time to take it. It was just a magical night. I think it’s safe to say it was the biggest result in the club’s and Gibraltar’s football history.”
Casciaro would love lightning to strike in the same spot twice – but he fears Rangers and boss Steven Gerrard (inset) won’t make the same mistakes as Celtic. He said: “It It is goi going to be a tough game for us – probably eve even harder than the C Celtic game.
“The season has started and Rangers are pl ay in g well. The last time Celtic were playing in their first game and I would expect Rangers to do their homework better than Celtic did. “Steven Gerrard will have seen that result and it will only make them more serious. It is a one-leg tie, which might be good in some ways because you can cause a shock.
“But in other ways it makes it more difficult because they cannot afford to think they will take care of the job at home.”