Donnelly still haunted by missed chance

Former Celtic star Simon Donnelly still rues the night he should have gone down in history as the man who sent Liverpool crashing out of the UEFA Cup.

Five years on his old club face another ‘Battle of Britain’ with Blackburn and he claims one of the stars likely to be on show is a legend in the making.

Despite scoring in the 2-2 draw at Parkhead in the first leg Glasgow-born forward Donnelly could have won the tie with 10 minutes remaining at Anfield before the game ended goalless, sending Liverpool through on away goals.

But that chance went begging and although the club went on to win the championship that year, Donnelly was sold by his beloved Celtic to Sheffield Wednesday two years later.

“It was a great tie for us at the time and there was a lot of excitement about Scotland and England so it was a good one to play in,” said Donnelly.

“I was gutted knowing that if I’d have scored I’d have put us through that night and the fact it was such a big game still hurts.

“At the time we took a lot from the two games against Liverpool last year and we managed to win the league that year, but I eventually left the club which was disappointing.

“But that was the turning point where we realised we were quite a good side. Over the games we were probably just as good as Liverpool if not better.

“We were a bit unfortunate to go out, but we took a lot of confidence from that. If Celtic get through this who knows what they could do.

“They could go on to win the league and even the competition, but for the players that scores the important goal everything’s possible.

“They have the chance of becoming a hero because these are the games that always stick in people’s minds.”

Donnelly is also relishing seeing Rangers legend Graeme Souness and Celtic manager Martin O’Neill come face to face.

He said: “Souness came and turned the face of Scottish football right round and when he came to Rangers at the beginning they set the benchmark for everybody else.

“He’s a big name in Glasgow in particular and it’s just ironic that he’s come up against Celtic again and there’s no doubt he’ll get a bit of stick again.

“Souness has done a great job at Blackburn and he has said that they are not the most fashionable club, but they’ve got a great squad there.

“They are seventh or eighth in the table at the moment and can possibly do even better this year.

“Then you look at Martin O’Neill has come in and gone from strength to strength at Celtic so it will be a good battle.”