Oh, for some tales of the unexpected
THE hype machine is going into overdrive in the wake of Celtic’s Champions League draw.
Neymar’s PSG and Bayern Munich with their array of talent are a big attraction. But some of us still hanker for the days when the European Champions Cup was exactly what it said on the silverware.
TV viewing figures are down for the Champions League and UEFA have sanitised it so much, there is little or no chance of something out of the ordinary.
This came into my head in midweek when there was a flurry of excitement in Kazakhstan as Celtic’s five-goal advantage against Astana looked vulnerable. for a short time.
It took me back to 1962 and when Dundee took an 8-1 lead to Cologne, only to find themselves 4-0 down with 30 minutes still to play.
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Bert Slater was playing outside-right with his head swathed in bloodsoaked bandages, and midfielder Andy Penman was forced to play between the sticks.
There were no substitutes back then, and very little protection from referees, either.
Cologne were convinced their keeper, Fritz Ewart, had been the victim of a deliberate foul by Dundee striker Alan Cousin in the first leg.
They made their intentions clear at the return leg by positioning an ambulance behind Slater’s goal!
Although “Punchy”, as Slater was known, sustained a deep cut to his ear early on, he refused to go to hospital in the ambulance.
With the tie slipping away from the Dark Blues, Slater decided there was only one thing to do – switch positions with Penman and return to play in goal.
Dundee managed to hold out but their troubles were far from finished.
Angry German fans invaded the pitch and made to attack Dundee’s players.
Remember, this was only 17 years after the end of the Second World War and emotions were still running high.
Fortunately for Dundee, there were Scottish soldiers from the Cameronian Regiment in the crowd.
They were stationed in Germany as part of a British peace-keeping force, and used their muscle to make sure Slater remained the only visiting player injured.
Incredibly, UEFA did nothing to punish Cologne for failing to control their fans.
Can you imagine anything like that happening now?