1970-03-04: Celtic 3-0 Fiorentina, European Cup
Review
Celtic 3-0 AC Fiorentina (Att: 80,000)
(Auld 30, Carpenetti 49 og, Wallace 89)
From State of the Game: link
Before the first leg Celtic had a slight worry about Tommy Gemmell, who had picked up a knock on his shin in the previous weekend’s game with Airdrie. At this time Gemmell was Celtic’s top scorer in the European Cup and it was a worry that his injury may affect his famous “Big Bertha” shot.
“I’m sure I’ll be okay,” he said as he packed his bags for Celtic’s Seamill retreat. “The injury is still rather painful, but it should clear up. It’s a pity it’s “Big Bertha”, but I’m sure there will be no twinges when I’m shooting against Fiorentina.”
“He’s still a wee bit doubtful,” his manager said. “He’ll have a tough test today.”
Fiorentina coach Pesaola, earning a widely reported £30,000 a year, rejected claims that his side played in a style similar to their Scottish opponents. “We are a highly technical side. More so than Celtic. Our play is not like them at all. The fans will see this tomorrow night and I’m sure they will agree that we are value for money.”
He couldn’t have been more wrong.
Celtic, with Gemmell fit and in the starting line up, began in their now customary whirlwind fashion, worrying Superchi in the Fiorentina goal straight from kick-off.
The hero of the night was 30 year old Bertie Auld, considered the “veteran” of the side. Out of the team for six weeks after picking up an injury, he learned only 30 minutes before kick-off that he would be in the starting line up. In the 30th minute of the match, he received the ball from the right, 22 yards out. He calmly looked up and sped a sweet shot that whizzed past Superchi’s despairing dive.
Fiorentina players were on £1,500 a man to win the match. This was an unprecedented sum at the time. Any hope of picking up that win bonus disappeared 4 minutes after the break when Auld made Celtic’s second goal. Auld sent over a cross which defender Carpenetti attempted to clear. He only succeeded in sending it above the head of his advancing goalkeeper and into the net.
With a minute to go Bertie Auld sent another cross into the box. Harry Hood headed the ball on and Willie Wallace was there to knock it over the line.
The Italian media blamed the result on Fiorentina concentrating too much on defence, but that did a disservice to Celtic who had rarely looked so commanding in their European career.
“Bertie could not have done more for us,” manager Jock Stein said afterwards. “I have got to single him out for the way he played there tonight.”
Stein’s opposite number Pesaola spent almost an hour after the match ensconced in the dressing room explaining the heavy defeat to furious club directors. When he emerged he said “Auld was the master tonight. He was the great midfield player for Celtic.”
Auld himself was more modest, saying, “The rest of the lads carried me for the last 20 minutes. After being out of first team football for six weeks I felt just about jiggered.”