VALENCIA DEFEAT PUT US ON THE ROAD TO SEVILLE
Petrov: It was agony to lose in front of incredible crowd but performance set us up for run to final next season
VALENCIA felt like the one that got away.
But looking back Stan Petrov is convinced the heartbreaking clash with the Spanish giants was actually the one that sent Celtic on their way.
The Hoops legend admitted it’s still a sore point reflecting on the UEFA Cup penalty shootout defeat that separated the sides when they last collided in Glasgow more than 17 years ago.
Petrov was one of the fall guys who missed from the spot – along with Henrik Larsson and Joos Valgaeren – but it still went down as one of the great European nights at Celtic Park.
Rafa Benitez’s Valencia side – which included stars such as Santiago Canizares, Mauricio Pellegrino and Pablo Aimar – were twice runners-up in the Champions League and went on to win La Liga that season.
But beating the Spanish big guns 1-0 courtesy of a first-half Henrik Larsson goal gave Celts the belief that would take them all the way to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville the following season.
Petrov knows the footballing landscape has changed beyond recognition since back then but he’s convinced his old side can pull off a similar result this time and give them a springboard to further Euro success.
The fans’ favourite said: “That was an incredible night at Celtic Park. The atmosphere was unbelievable and even the Valencia players were shocked at the noise.
“It was so disappointing losing on penalties, especially when we had a lot of chances to win the tie. I’ve tried to forget my penalty!
“But we took a lot from that game. When you play in Europe it is about learning and we were learning how to get through these matches – and we took it into the next season.
“We were written off so many times when we went on the run to Seville.
“No one expected us to beat teams from England, Germany and Spain. No one thought we’d win against Liverpool at Anfield.
“We were underdogs in all the games we played and it will be the same for Celtic this time. Valencia might not be the team they were in 2001 but they are still a top Spanish side with a lot of talent.
“But what Celtic do have is Celtic Park. It’s a special place and incredible things can happen there. We’ve seen it so many times over the years.
“The fans start from the first minute and it really lifts the players. It’s electric.
“It gives you such belief no matter who you are playing against.”
Petrov can see this current Celtic side learning their lessons in European competition.
There have been some tough ones, especially when the superclubs such as PSG and Barcelona have come calling, but the Bulgarian reckons his old club deserve credit for continuing to crack the continent.
He said: “It is a big achievement to get to this stage as we all know the importance for Celtic playing in Europe after Christmas.
“The Champions League was obviously the main target for Celtic this season but while there was always going to be disappointment after missing out, every time you compete at these levels it is about learning.
“The Europa League is a very good competition and there have been some great nights at Celtic Park already this year.
“You look at the Leipzig and Salzburg games – they felt almost like the Champions League.
“It was a very tough group when you think there were champions from three countries in there along with a strong team from Germany.
“To qualify ahead of a Bundesliga club
Europe is about learning and we were learning how to get through these matches STAN PETROV
CELTIC’S injury-hit Euro rivals Valencia will land in Glasgow today without another star after the Spanish giants FORGOT new boy Facundo Roncaglia was banned for tomorrow’s last-32 clash.
The La Liga men have already suffered several blows with £10million striker