Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has hailed Celtic’s 1967 Euro triumph and domestic Treble as “perhaps the most precious” of all. The Lisbon Lions were the first club to complete a full set of league, domestic cup and European Cup when they beat Inter Milan 56 years ago.
Only six other clubs have followed suit since – Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter and Bayern Munich. But Manchester City could join the illustrious group on Saturday when they take on Inter in the Champions League Final in Istanbul having already won the Premier League and FA Cup.
That sparked a debate on BBC 5 Live over which achievement stands above all others. And Balague – who has penned a biography of City boss Pep Guardiola’s trophy-laden managerial career – reckons Jock Stein’s Hoops might just edge it for one specific reason.
He said: “Celtic in 1967 had the most deserved and perhaps most precious Treble winners because in 1967 you only had one substitute – and only if someone got injured. That was it. That’s all you got. Now with deeper squads it’s easier for the big teams to change matters and win games.”
Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers scored the goals as Celtic – led by Billy McNeil – stunned Inter 2-1 in Lisbon in 1967. The unused substitute on that occasion was goalkeeper John Fallon.
And the feat was all the more remarkable because every one of Stein’s players in that squad was born within a radius of 30-miles from Celtic Park. That’s a far cry from the megabucks make-up of today’s finalists with City’s squad being made up of 12 different nationalities ranging from Brazil to Algeria. Celtic actually won the quadruple that season – as well as the Glasgow Cup – meaning they claimed every competition they entered.
But Balague fancies City to end their quest for Europe’s top trophy. He said: “Defences take you to a final. In terms of Pep Guardiola it has been one of his strengths but people haven’t noticed. “Forwards win the finals. If you have that then it takes it to win it.”
