Bhoys Bashed By Benfica

But They Keep On Winning In The League

The Lisbon Lions visited Lisbon, the scene of their European Cup triumph over Inter Milan, last week before the game against Benfica. Celtic supporters were also at the Estadio Nacional to greet the heroes of 1967. Billy McNeill, Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox, John Clark, Jim Craig, Willie Wallace, Joe McBride, Charlie Gallagher, John Fallon, Willie O'Neill and the two goalscorers from May 25, 1967 - Tommy Gemmell and Stevie Chalmers - walked across the pitch holding the replica of the European Cup that they won nearly 40 years ago. Portugal's Minister of Sport made a special visit to meet the Lions and make a special presentation to them. Celtic chairman Brian Quinn and Chief Executive Peter Lawwell also took part in the presentation.

Celtic supporters made a "wonderful gesture" in honor of former SL Benfica player Miklós Fehér during the game. Fehér died in January 2004 after a heart attack during a match between Benfica and Vitória SC, and Celtic fans honored his memory during the game by displaying a banner bearing the Hungarian's name, shirt number and the words "Nunca caminharás sozinho" (You'll never walk alone). Following Benfica's victory, Celtic supporters Roddy Mackay, Ritchie Feenie and David McAnsh presented captain Simão and striker Nuno Gomes with the banner. The trio helped raise around €1,500 in four days to pay for the banner - and handed the funds left over to Benfica, to be donated to a cardiac unit in Lisbon. Celtic captain Neil Lennon said: "You know how passionate these fans are, not just about their own club but about football worldwide. It's a tremendous gesture and they make us very proud."

UEFA delegate Sandor Berzi was grateful for the moving tribute to his fellow countryman. He said: "I was very surprised by this and expressed my thanks to the Celtic delegation at the directors' lunch. And again when the presentation was made to the Benfica players after the game, I thanked the Celtic supporters because it was a fantastic thing they did. It's already appeared on the website of the Hungarian Football Federation as well as other sports websites and everybody is very appreciative of what happened. And I also got in touch with his Hungarian club and asked them to inform Miklos Feher's parents as well. It is very often said that football is a big family but Celtic and its supporters have proved this."

Celtic extended their lead over Hearts at the top of the SPL to 13 points after coming from behind to grab a dramatic 2-1 win. In the 72nd minute Andrius Velicka went past Stephen McManus to score past Artur Boruc. However, in the 86th minute, the Hoops were level when sub Jiri Jarosik headed a Shunsuke Nakamura corner past Craig Gordon for the equalizer. Then in the fourth minute of added time, Gordon pushed the ball into his own net when it looked like he had possession of McManus' shot.

After the game Gordon Strachan denied that the title was secure after Celtic moved 13 points clear of Hearts. "We didn't play well in the first half. But they moved up an extra gear. I think a bit of pride took over." Asked if he thought the title race was over, Strachan said: "No way." The manager was happy with the result considering the 3-0 defeat to Benfica. "Hearts did well and their plan was good," he said. "They did not allow us to play. But we sorted it out at half time."