Club football might be on the back burner this weekend but the great Celtic or Aberdeen Euro kings debate remains in the Hotline’s front furnace.
Dons legend John McMaster’s claim in Record Sport that the Pittodrie side’s 1983 glory in Gothenburg was a bigger achievement than Celtic’s European Cup winning Lisbon Lions has sparked a red hot debate. Caller Alan Flett claimed yesterday that the Hoops had triumphed in 1967 without having to play anyone to reach the final.
But Gerry McDonald, Kirkintilloch, said: “What rubbish! Aberdeen's win was fantastic and I was cheering them on that night in Gothenburg but Celtic were champions of Europe by beating other champions. Also, if it was so easy to win, why has no other Scottish side even reached the final?” Terence McGuigan agreed. He emailed: “No surprise to see Alan Flett downplay Celtic’s achievement of winning the biggest and best European trophy having had to beat the actual champions of each country they played. That Real Madrid team Aberdeen defeated won nothing in season 82/83 and the previous season finished third in the league. Inter Milan had won two out of the three previous European Cups so I think we know whose achievement stands head and shoulders above.”