Highs & lows of Celtic's previous meetings with Ajax
The two heavyweights met two years before, too, in the Champions League and though Ajax won on home soil, Celtic held on for an impressive and deserved victory in Glasgow despite Nir Bitton's red card.Four meetings in two years came after 12 years of wait. The pair faced off in the third round of Champions League qualifying in 2001 and Celtic prevailed thanks to an outstanding 3-1 first-leg win in Amsterdam courtesy of goals from Bobby Petta, Didier Agathe and Chris Sutton.Ajax manager Co Adriaanse admitted his side were "outclassed" on their own patch and although the Dutch won 1-0 at Parkhead, Celtic advanced to the group stages for the first time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic ‘in the mix' to sign Manchester City starlet who's started in UCL but ‘face competition from Championship sides'
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers urged his board to make more new signings after their 5-1 friendly defeat to Ajax. And the Hoops are reportedly looking to add defensive reinforcements from the top of the English Premier League. Advertisement 3 Brendan Rodgers has revealed he wants more signings at Celtic this summer Credit: Alamy 3 The Hoops have been linked with the loan signing of a Manchester City youth team captain Credit: Getty 3 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey made his first-team debut for City last season Credit: Getty A new report from CeltsAreHere says Celtic have made a loan offer to Manchester City for Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. Simpson-Pusey made his first City appearance against the Hoops last summer, starting in a friendly in North Carolina which Celts won 4-3. The centre-back made his senior debut last season too and played six times in total for Pep Guardiola's side, including starts in the Premier League and Champions League. Those starts came during a difficult spell for City though and included a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP, with Simpson-Pusey returning to the club's academy team for the last few months of the campaign. Advertisement The 19-year-old ended up being named Premier League 2 Player of the Year as he captained City to the title, and now reportedly wants to test himself back in senior football. The report claims that Celts will face competition from the English Championship for Simpson-Pusey, but that their status as a European side who will be competing for titles could make them favourites for his signature. It's also reported that the Manchester native will be the one to decide his destination for the 25/26 season. Rodgers has already seen central defenders Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke move on this summer, with Stephen Walsh possibly also on the way out. Advertisement Simpson-Pusey would be the latest in a line of players to star for both the Hoops and City. The 2000s saw the likes of Craig Bellamy, Georgios Samaras and Willo Flood feature for both sides. Shock scenes as Celtic and Ajax fans clash during Como Cup friendly tournament in Italy City's 2008 takeover and subsequent success meant that many of the ex-Blues to play for Celtic in the 2010s were younger players sent to cut their teeth north of the border. Amongst them were stars such as Scott Sinclair, Patrick Roberts and Jeremie Frimpong. Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman to keep on dancing after ‘chaotic and ridiculous' Euro 2025 win
England boss Sarina Wiegman promised to 'do some more dancing' after the Lionesses completed their third successive comeback to defend their European crown with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain in Basel. Substitute Chloe Kelly, whose extra-time winner at Wembley secured the Lionesses their first major trophy three summers ago, was once again the hero, coolly converting in the shootout with the World Cup holders following a 1-1 extra-time stalemate. Wiegman has now led teams – first the Netherlands, now England – to the trophy at the last three European Championships, though none, admitted the Dutchwoman, was more 'chaotic' and 'ridiculous' as this. 'I'm very happy,' said Wiegman. 'I actually can't believe it myself. It was like, 'how can it happen?' but it happened. I am so incredibly proud of the team and the staff.' Wiegman was spotted busting a move after Kelly once again rose to the highest occasion, and plans to keep letting loose – perhaps to the chagrin of her phone, which twice reminded the England boss during her post-match press conference that she was due a workout. 'I'll do some more dancing,' said Wiegman. 'And I'll have a drink, but I don't think I will drink as much as the players.' Though the Lionesses insisted they had moved on, Sunday's triumph also avenged the 2023 World Cup final, where England were beaten by Spain 1-0 in Sydney in their first global showpiece final. Spain were first-time finalists in this competition but the favourites, and came one step closer to the title when Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey nodded home a 25th-minute opener. But Kelly teed up Russo for a header of her own and 57th-minute equaliser, while two spectacular saves by Hannah Hampton in the shootout opened the door for Kelly to write more history as the Lionesses became the first senior English football team to lift a major trophy on foreign soil. 'I must admit that this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played,' Wiegman added. 'Every time we could come back, in the quarter-final and the semi-final and the final, we came from behind. Of course we have players that have talents, and the togetherness of this team is really, really incredible, but also the belief that we can come back. 'The players say we can win by any means, and we just never, ever give up.' England's title defence was hanging by a thread following their 2-1 opening defeat to France, but group stage victories over the Netherlands then Wales kept their title defence alive. Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored late in their Sweden quarter-final, ultimately setting up a chaotic, error-strewn shootout, won by Bronze with England's seventh try. It took Kelly's extra-time winner from off the bench in their Italy semi-final to book their place in the Spain showdown – after 19-year-old standout Michelle Agyemang had netted another incredible equaliser. Even before her heroics in Basel, Kelly, at these Euros, had come in with the joint-most chances created (eight) and most successful crosses (10) of any substitute in a single tournament since Opta started analysing major women's tournaments in 2011. And while Wiegman conceded there had been moments in this campaign – and particularly the Sweden and Italy matches – Sunday's comeback was never in doubt. Asked if there was a moment her belief had wavered, Wiegman replied: 'To be honest, tonight, I didn't.'
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Propper has no regrets despite swift Twente return
Robin Propper says "I haven't regretted" joining Rangers despite the Dutch centre-half returning to Twente for an undisclosed fee after only a season with the Scottish Premiership 31-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Eredivisie club after being told he was not in new Rangers head coach Russell Martin's plans."Last season, I had the opportunity to play for a major international team," he told Twente's website."I couldn't pass up the opportunity, even though the decision wasn't easy, especially since we were close to the start of the new season with Twente. Nevertheless, I decided to make that choice. I haven't regretted it."It was a great year, both personally and in terms of sport, with all sorts of new experiences."However, Propper said "the choice isn't difficult" to return to the club where he was captain and where the team spirit "is so strong".Of his time in Glasgow, he added: "It was an eye-opener for me. I wasn't aware of how foreign boys feel when they come to the Netherlands. I think they need attention and time."In a year you experience a lot. I have noticed that now. In a foreign country, certain things are different. I'm glad that I was able to experience that."I played a lot of games. I had a lot of beautiful moments. Also a little less. "Of course I want to say that I had a great adventure at a beautiful club with a rich history. I always wanted that in my career."
