HOOPS TO TAME THE VIENNESE WALTZ?​

Current day Bhoys out to avenge 1984

25 years is a long time, in footballing terms it's an eternity. The times move on, players and management come and go, some are even forgotten, but mention the words 'Rapid Vienna' to Celtic fans of a certain age and memory loss is something you'll most probably not encounter.

November 7th 1984, Celtic Park. The Hoops entered the European Cup Winners Cup Second Round Second Leg tie against the visiting Austrians trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Vienna, but an inspired performance from Davie Hay's men saw the tables turned, the Hoops winning 3-0 and going through 4-3 on aggregate, or so it seemed...

The Austrians appealed to Uefa for the match to be replayed after one of their players, Rudi Weinhofer, claimed he had been injured by an object thrown by the home fans.


1984 - enough said

Uefa eventually ruled the second leg be re-played at least 100 miles from Parkhead. The venue chosen was Old Trafford, there was to be only one winner. Sadly justice didn't prevail as Rapid won the game 1-0.

Fast forward to the current day and you will find that one of those Rapid players, Peter Pacult, the man who scored the only goal of that re-played tie is still involved with the Die Grün-Weißen. Pacult is now the manager at the Viennese club, and it's fair to say he's not doing a bad job, in Europe at least.


Peter Pacult - player turned manager

Rapid may be ranked as the bottom seed in Group C of the current Europa League campaign, but their performances to date have certainly belittled that tag. Aston Villa were knocked out during the qualifying stages on away goals, and possibly, and even more surprisingly Hamburg were trounced 3-0 in the opening game as the group stages began.

As for Celtic, well the less said the better, an evening in Tel-Aviv that began with much promise was of course to end in all too familiar circumstances, a defeat away from home in European competition.

So add the pressure placed on Tony Mowbray's men to pick up three much needed points and that piece of history 25 years ago to avenge, and it would be safe to say the Celtic faithful will be urging their team on that little bit extra on Thursday evening, not only in hope of helping their current day hero's to victory, but to finally seek a sense of closure from the events of that night back in November 1984.


No thriller for Villa - Rapid stunned O'Neill's men

The Hoops do though, go into the game on the back of three successive victories in domestic competiton, and whilst at times the manner of victory may not have been to Mowbray's full satisfaction, he'll be fully aware that wins breed confidence, a thing which gives players the belief that they can show that little bit of extra flair and creative play needed in such high stakes games as the one on Thursday.

One man seemingly not short of confidence is Paddy McCourt, The former Derry City man took time to earn himself a regular place in the Hoops first team squad, but after appearing regularly in pre-season, the talented 25 year old is beginning to show the promise that ex-manager Gordon Strachan talked about when bringing McCourt accross the Irish Sea last summer. The goal scored at St Mirren on Saturday was something to treasure, a mazy run through the heart of the defence and a superbly placed finish across the face of the goalkeeper.


Paddy McCourt - key player on Thursday?

McCourt may well get the nod again on Thursday with doubts surrounding the fitness of Aiden McGeady, and along with Shaun Maloney the pair look the most likely source of inspiration, as former Scottish International Pat Nevin has said after seeing Rapid in action at Villa Park...

"In the full-back areas, especially the left side, James Milner was tearing them to shreds - likewise Ashley Young on the other flank.

"They were able to fire in cross after cross all night.

"The wings are areas where Celtic are strong, but I'm not sure if Aiden McGeady will be fit.

"That could mean an important role for Paddy McCourt and, if he can play only 45 minutes, I think he could cause them a lot of damage."​