I’ve caught Celtic cold and stunned Scotland... now I’d love to rattle one in v Rangers
Red Imps and Gibraltar hero Lee now wants Gers for treble
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 parttimers 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 history 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. Mercifully, the Tartan Army could breathe again when 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 have scored against Celtic, 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 right and don’t scuff it. To play against a historic team like Rangers having
already faced Celtic is like a dream come true for all of us.”
Casciaro admitted the draw brings the memories of four years ago all flooding back – not that he would every forget 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. There were calls coming in from all over the world. It was a totally new experience.
“All of the guys in the team had jobs and it was strange going in to work the next day. I was on duty and everyone wanted to talk to me about it. We’ve a small community here and there was so much excitement. All of Gibraltar was talking about the game and that goal for about for a week or two.
“It’s something all of us involved will treasure for the rest of our lives. When you look back it feels like a dream, it still hasn’t sunk in. It would be incredible if we could do it again. No one will give us a chance but you never know. We got lucky that day and it could happen again.”
Casciaro would love lightning to strike in the same spot twice – but he fears Rangers won’t make the same mistakes as Celtic.
He said: “It is going to be a tough game for us – probably even harder than the Celtic game.
“The season has started and Rangers are playing 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 in the second leg as we saw a few years ago.
“Celtic always had the chance to recover but it will be different this time. Rangers have started the season strongly but you have to believe anything can happen.
“The weather, the pitch, no fans, it is all maybe in our favour. But we have to use the same game plan as against Celtic. We have to make life difficult and take our chances when they come around.”
Casciaro is just gutted it’s a one-off tie on his home patch and he won’t get a chance to sample Ibrox after Parkhead and Hampden.
He said: “It was amazing going to the national stadium and playing at Celtic Park was another wonderful experience.”
Whole of Gibraltar was talking about the game and that goal
LEE CASCIARO ON HIS STRIKE AGAINST CELTIC