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5 Greatest Battles of Britain

By Ryan Willox

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)
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) /
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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)
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) /

1. Celtic 2 Leeds United 1, April 1970

With Celtic Park undergoing renovation, Hampden Park was the only suitable venue to host the second leg of the European Cup semi-final.

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.

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.

Celtic were three seasons removed from their greatest triumph, the 1967 European Cup title and were seeking a repeat.

The Leeds they faced, it may surprise younger readers, are still considered one of the great club sides in English football history.

More from Champions League

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.

Near misses in the league, the European Cup and various cup competitions belie the impact of a side revered over 45 years on.

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.

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.

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.

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