Bhoys gear up for big match

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill’s side had to cope with temperatures in the 90s as they took on Porto in the UEFA Cup final in the Estadio Olimpico.

The recently-relaid playing surface had also caused both managers concern.

But Porto were happy that striker John Hartson had failed to recover from back and calf problems and O’Neill named the same 11 that beat Dundee 6-2 last Wednesday, with Chris Sutton once again partnering Henrik Larsson, who was looking for his 200th Celtic goal.

Celtic would once again have to upset the odds of they were win their second European trophy since the Lisbon Lions won the European Cup under Jock Stein in 1967.

Porto were favourites, having knocked Lazio out in the semi-final and had defeated O’Neill’s men 3-0 in Portugal in the Champions League last season.

Capucho and Deco remained part of their set-up, but the Scottish champions were boosted by having 35,000 of their fans inside the stadium.