For Celtic supporters of all ages, no trip to Lisbon is complete without a visit to the Estádio Nacional, the scene of Celtic’s greatest ever triumph. It was there, on Thursday, May 25, 1967, that 11 men from within a 30-mile radius of Celtic Park climbed the steps to the pitch to face Inter Milan in the European Cup final, and went on to write their names in to football folklore. That victory remains the shining star amongst all the incredible achievements that the club has enjoyed in its long and illustrious history, and for that reason, making the trip to Lisbon to visit the Estádio Nacional has become somewhat of a pilgrimage for Celtic supporters through the years. And yesterday (Monday, July 14), it was the turn of the current Celtic team to experience the iconic arena for themselves, with the Celts being given full access to all areas of the stadium. Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, spoke to Celtic TV at the Estádio Nacional and he reflected on just how special the feeling was to be there and to enjoy walking in the footsteps of the Lisbon Lions. “There’s very few times would I be lost for words,” Brendan said. “But today is really about a feeling. “When you grow up as a Celtic supporter, you know all the stories. You know about Bertie singing in the tunnel and the support that came here. “But just to actually walk the journey and relive some of those memories, just coming out the tunnel was very emotional. “And then we make our way up to where big Billy lifted the trophy and knowing that thousands of Celtic supporters were down there watching. ‘To be stood here as the Celtic manager, and my first time here, it’s really special and really emotional.’ “Your DNA as a football club comes from your greatest moments and this is our greatest moment as a club. “I know the score was 2-1 but it’s how dominant we were in that game. These players will take that on board and guys like myself will remind them of that as well. “This is a huge part of the history of our club and for the young guys and everyone to be here, it feels really special.”The most iconic image from the 1967 European Cup final is, of course, the moment that Billy McNeill lifted the trophy in to air for all the world to see, confirming that Celtic Football Club had indeed reached the apex of European football. It is an image which is immortalised in bronze outside Celtic Park and it is a sight that is etched firmly in the minds of every Celtic supporter. And yesterday, standing where Cesar stood in ’67, captain Callum McGregor spoke to Celtic TV about his immense pride at being in such a historic Celtic location. He said: “We’re so lucky to be here and represent this club and to be at a stadium which is so iconic in our history. “To stand where Billy stood just brings in to focus how amazing an achievement it was. “You try and get a sense of what he would have felt like, looking out and seeing a sea of green and white. “I’m so lucky to be a part of this club and on days like this you feel the enormity of it, and like I say, I’m very lucky and blessed. ‘You’re representing something that is so big and so important to millions of people around the world.’ “For those guys to achieve what they did sets the bar so high, and us as players can only ever try our hardest to get anywhere close to that. “It’s honestly amazing and you’re so privileged to be here. It just whets the appetite for more as well.”FixturesSporting Clube de Portugal Vs. Celtic – Wed, Jul 16th 2025, 19:30
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