Give the girls
a cheer
EUROPEAN CUP FIRST ROUND - CELTIC v AJAX
EUROPEAN CUP FIRST ROUND CELTIC v AJAX
IT gives me tremendous pleasure to be able to
extend a warm welcome to Holland's cham
pions Ajax on their visit to Celtic Park this
evening.
I do so on behalf of the directors, players
and all connected with the club, not forgetting
our magnificent support.
Since the draw for this European Cup first
round tie was made our anticipation has
grown steadily. For Ajax are one of the great
names of European football, having achieved
the marvellous feat of three successive wins in
this competition in the early seventies.
In meeting Ajax we are renewing an old
freindship. None of our fans need to be
reminded that we met Ajax once before in this
same tournament in March 1971
On that occasion we were unfortunate to
encounter the great Ajax side at their best in
Amsterdam, losing 3-0. A fortnight later we
were only able to reduce the deficit by one and
Ajax went on to win the Cup, beating Panath-
anikos at Wembley to secure the first of their
three titles.
We are now presented with the opportunity
to avenge that defeat and while this must be
Celtic's aim it will be pursued as always In the
best possible spirit. A meeting of two of the
best known clubs in Europe, each with great
traditions and past winners of the Cup, is
definitely a special prospect.
The excitement which has been generated
by the press and the recent record of both
clubs should provide a great atmosphere and
hopefully also a classic match.
Our visitors can expect a wonderful wel
come from one of the best supports to be
found anywhere in the world. Let us hope that
the players on both sides respond to their
bidding and provide a sporting match befitting
the reputation for attacking football held by
both clubs.
The Ajax party will leave for home immedia
tely after tonight's match and we wish them a
speedy and safe flight to Amsterdam. We hope
they will have enjoyed their visit to Glasgow
and we look forward to renewing our acquain
tance in two weeks time.
CELTIC have been asked to make a small
contribution to Scotland's bid for medals in the
Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. Two
members of the Glasgow Athletic Club, Angela
Bridgeman and Sandra Whittaker, have been
selected to run in Australia and tonight, at
half-time, they will jog a lap of the park to get a
little taste of big crowd atmosphere.
Angela (18) from Drumchapel is a former
pupil of the school Danny McGrain attended.
Sandra is 19 and lives in East Kilbride although
she was born in Bellshill.
Join with everyone at Celtic Park in wishing
the girls the very best of luck by giving them a
rousing send-off tonight.
3
A message
from the
Chairman
