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'Emotional' Rodgers 'lost for words' at scene of 1967 triumph

'Emotional' Rodgers 'lost for words' at scene of 1967 triumph

BBC News16-07-2025
An "emotional" Brendan Rodgers admitted he was "lost for words" after visiting the scene of Celtic's greatest triumph.The Celtic manager took his players and staff to the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon, where they became the first British club to lift the European Cup following a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in 1967.Celtic are in the Portuguese capital to take on Sporting in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday and their training camp is across the road from the place where the Lisbon Lions earned their name."There are very few times where I'd be lost for words," Rodgers told Celtic TV."When you grow up as a Celtic supporter, you know all the stories, you know Bertie (Auld) singing in the tunnel and the support that came here."But just to actually walk the journey and relive some of those memories, and just coming out of the tunnel was very emotional."Then we make our way up to here where big Billy (McNeill) lifted the trophy, knowing the thousands of Celtic supporters were down there watching."So it's a feeling and being brought up with the stories and understanding that night changed the whole direction of the club, and to be stood here as a Celtic manager for my first time here, it's really special and really emotional."Celtic captain Callum McGregor was also touched by the experience, adding: "So, so lucky to even be here, to represent this club and to be at a stadium that is so iconic in our history."And to stand where Billy stood just brings into focus, one, how amazing an achievement it was and, two, just trying to get a sense of what it would have felt like to look out and just see a sea of green and white Celtic supporters."I'm so, so, so lucky to be a part of this club and on days like this you feel the enormity of it and very, very lucky and blessed."
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