GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Moussa Dembele of Celtic scores his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Celtic FC and Manchester City FC at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
5. Celtic 3 Manchester City 3, September 2016
We can only hope that Tuesday’s encounter will be anything like as good as this.
Celtic fans approached the match in trepidation after an opening day 7-0 humbling at the hands of Barcelona.
Within minutes of the kick-off at a rapturous Celtic Park all the apprehension was swept away in a barrage of intensity and aggression that threatened to blow City’s doors off.
With three minutes on the clock, Moussa Dembele bundled home Eric Sviatchenko’s header before Fernandinho took advantage of a fortunate mis-hit to beat the offside trap and sweep City level.
The ebullient crowd barely had time to draw breath before Raheem Sterling diverted Kieran Tierney’s cross into his own net.
Back came City in a toe-to-toe thriller as David Silva and Sterling combined to bamboozle the home defense with the latter atoning for his own goal with an assured finish.
Minutes into the second half, an outstanding piece of improvisation from Dembele put Celtic ahead again 3-2 before Nolito completed the scoring with a tap-in from a Sergio Aguero rebound.
Time may cast this classic tie in a more favorable glow and there is an argument for inclusion further up the list.
But for the moment we’ll let it sit at the start by way of glorious introduction.
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<p>The ebullient crowd barely had time to draw breath before Raheem Sterling diverted Kieran Tierney’s cross into his own net.</p>
<p>Back came City in a toe-to-toe thriller as David Silva and Sterling combined to bamboozle the home defense with the latter atoning for his own goal with an assured finish.</p>
<p>Minutes into the second half, an outstanding piece of improvisation from Dembele put Celtic ahead again 3-2 before Nolito completed the scoring with a tap-in from a Sergio Aguero rebound.</p>
<p>Time may cast this classic tie in a more favorable glow and there is an argument for inclusion further up the list.</p>
<p>But for the moment we’ll let it sit at the start by way of glorious introduction.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Liverpool 1 Hearts 1, August 2012 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426775" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1500,w_2261/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F151007705-fbl-eur-c3-liverpool-hearts.jpg" alt="" width="2261" height="1500" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/151007705-fbl-eur-c3-liverpool-hearts.jpg 2261w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/151007705-fbl-eur-c3-liverpool-hearts-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 2261px) 100vw, 2261px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Liverpool’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) goes around Hearts’ Jamie MacDonald (C) during the UEFA Europa League Play-off second leg football match at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on August 30, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GettyImages)</p>
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<h3 style="">4. Liverpool 1 Hearts 1, August 2012</h3>
<p>Arguably the most controversial choice that is going to be on this list but it is included here at the expense of other more vaunted encounters as much to make a point.</p>
<p>The gulf in resources ensuring a stark gap in class between Liverpool and Heart of Midlothian should have guaranteed a canter for the Anfield outfit.</p>
<p>Hearts had crashed out of the same competition a season earlier on a 5-0 aggregate to Tottenham Hotspur, salvaging a modicum of pride with a 0-0 second leg draw against Spurs’ reserves at the Lane.</p>
<p>Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Tynecastle via an Andy Webster own goal looked to have essentially settled the tie despite a brave showing from the home side.</p>
<p>Yet as a nervy evening unfolded at Anfield all idea of a procession for Brendan Rodgers’ Reds slowly evaporated until the unthinkable happened minutes from time.</p>
<p>After Liverpool failed to adequately clear Heart’s first corner, David Templeton let fly from outside the box and Pep Reina somehow lost the flight of the ball, allowing it to squirm past him.</p>
<p>Now we were level and heading, unbelievably, to extra time. Or so it seemed until Luis Suarez intervened, three minutes from time.</p>
<p>Collecting the ball just inside the opposition half the Uruguay set off on a driving run, holding off challenges before sliding the ball home past the despairing Hearts’ keeper.</p>
<p>Proof then, that even in the age of Premier League television cash bonanza’s Scotland v England can still hold an audience in its thrall.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Dundee United 2 Manchester United 3, December 1984 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426776" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2689,w_4050/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F97966289-manchester-united-v-dundee-united-uefa-cup.jpg" alt="" width="4050" height="2689" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/97966289-manchester-united-v-dundee-united-uefa-cup.jpg 4050w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/97966289-manchester-united-v-dundee-united-uefa-cup-768x510.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 4050px) 100vw, 4050px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Paul Sturrock (centre) scores Dundee United’s 2nd goal during the Manchester United v Dundee United UEFA Cup 3rd Round 1st leg match played at Old Trafford, Manchester on the 28th November 1984. The Manchester United goalkeeper is Gary Bailey (right) and the defender is Mike Duxbury (left). The match was drawn 2-2. (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">3. Dundee United 2 Manchester United 3, December 1984</h3>
<p>Fresh off a controversial elimination at the semi-final stage of the European Cup to AS Roma the previous season, Dundee United entered the tie looking for a fourth straight last eight appearance in UEFA football.</p>
<p>Manchester United meanwhile were in the midst of a run of 26 years without a Premier League title.</p>
<p>In the early 1980’s, Scotland witnessed the emergence of the ‘New Firm’ of Aberdeen and Dundee United, so named for their challenge to the dominance of the ‘Old Firm’ of Celtic and Rangers.</p>
<p>The Old Trafford side would become very familiar with Scotland’s new powers, acquiring the services of a certain Alex Ferguson from Aberdeen.</p>
<p>Several miles down the coast, Ferguson’s counterpart at Dundee United Jim McLean refused overtures from bigger clubs to remain on Tayside.</p>
<p>He would oversee United’s only Scottish Premier League title, progression to that European Cup semi-final, a UEFA Cup final, and this epic encounter.</p>
<p>Following a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg, United arrived at Tannadice knowing they likely needed a win because of the away goals rule.</p>
<p>Current Stoke boss Mark Hughes got them off to a perfect start. Dundee United equalized through Davie Dodds before Gary McGinnis put through his own net to fire the Red Devils ahead in the tie.</p>
<p>Back came the Tangerines via Paul Hegarty in the second half but, with United heading out on away goals rule, Arnold Muhren scored twelve minutes from time to put Ron Atkinson’s men through.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Leeds United 1 Rangers 2, November 1992 </a>
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<p> </p><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_426924" class="wp-caption alignright">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426924" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1940,w_2980/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F78991212-sport-football-pic-18th-november-1992-world-cup-qualifier-ibrox-park-scotland-0-v-italy-0-andy-goram-scotland.jpg" alt="" width="2980" height="1940" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/78991212-sport-football-pic-18th-november-1992-world-cup-qualifier-ibrox-park-scotland-0-v-italy-0-andy-goram-scotland.jpg 2980w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/78991212-sport-football-pic-18th-november-1992-world-cup-qualifier-ibrox-park-scotland-0-v-italy-0-andy-goram-scotland-768x500.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 2980px) 100vw, 2980px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Sport, Football, pic: 18th November 1992, World Cup Qualifier, Ibrox Park, Scotland 0, v Italy 0, Andy Goram, Scotland (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">2. Leeds United 1 Rangers 2, November 1992</h3>
<p>Leeds United feature prominently in these final two matches, so their supporters may want to look away now.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>The European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League for the 1992-93 season.</p>
<p>Rangers, dominant in Scotland at this point, played their part in the creation of what we now know as UEFA’s premier competition.</p>
<p>With rivals Celtic in dire financial straits, Rangers sought to broaden their horizons and establish themselves as a European force.</p>
<p>Having been eliminated in the first round by Bayern Munich a couple of years earlier, Rangers petitioned and lobbied to insure themselves against such quirks of the draw.</p>
<p>In the first year of the Champions League format, all that stood between them and the promised land was Leeds United.</p>
<p>The champions of England against the champions of Scotland, back when that mattered.</p>
<p>Rangers won the home leg 2-1 despite going behind to a goal from Scotland international Gary McAllister in the first minute.</p>
<p>The second leg at Elland Road was an epic as United bombarded Andy Goram’s goal after going behind 3-1 on aggregate following England international Mark Hately’s third minute goal.</p>
<p>Hately crossed for Ally McCoist for a back post diving header to put Rangers 4-1 ahead on aggregate.</p>
<p>Still Leeds poured forward in waves only to be denied by Goram time and time again before Eric Cantona scored a consolation late on.</p>
<p>Rangers would go on to make a de facto semi-final and have not reached heights since. The rise and fall of Leeds at the turn of the century is perhaps football’s great cautionary tale.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Celtic 2 Leeds United 1, April 1970 </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_426925" class="wp-caption alignright">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-426925" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/12/05/5-greatest-battles-britain/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_3324,w_5067/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F11%2F55321404-gemmell-scores.jpg" alt="" width="5067" height="3324" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/55321404-gemmell-scores.jpg 5067w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/11/55321404-gemmell-scores-768x504.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 5067px) 100vw, 5067px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Tommy Gemmell (second from right) scores Celtic’s goal during the European Cup final against Feyenoord in Milan, 7th May 1970. The Dutch team went on to beat Celtic 2-1 in extra time. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3 style="">1. Celtic 2 Leeds United 1, April 1970</h3>
<p>With Celtic Park undergoing renovation, Hampden Park was the only suitable venue to host the second leg of the European Cup semi-final.</p>
<p>The 136, 505 who packed into Scotland’s national stadium for the match make it the most attended club match in UEFA history to this day.</p>
<p>Bear in mind also that in those days kids and the fleet of foot often snuck through or over the turnstiles so the actual number may be a bit higher yet.</p>
<p>Celtic were three seasons removed from their greatest triumph, the 1967 European Cup title and were seeking a repeat.</p>
<p>The Leeds they faced, it may surprise younger readers, are still considered one of the great club sides in English football history.</p>
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<p>Despite two titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup in a five-year span, they will always have the tag of being a bit of a nearly-man side.</p>
<p>Near misses in the league, the European Cup and various cup competitions belie the impact of a side revered over 45 years on.</p>
<p>One of those near misses was this epic semi-final. George Connolly’s first minute goal at Elland Road decided the first leg in Celtic’s favour.</p>
<p>Billy Bremner cancelled out that advantage early in the second leg, but second half goals from John Hughes and Bobby Murdoch fired Celtic into their second final.</p>
<p>Celtic would lost to Feyenoord, pictured, while Leeds would return four years later and make their only final appearance in a loss to Bayern Munich.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">