FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.02.2008 17:00

Pinto returns to Celtic Park

Sergi Nogueras

Several of the Barça players already know what kind of atmosphere to expect at Celtic Park. One of those is Pinto, who played here for Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup of 2002-03.

It was on November 28, 2002 and Celta Vigo met Glasgow Celtic in the third round of the UEFA Cup, A duel between two sides whose names both pay homage to their Celtic heritage. The Galician keeper was one José Manuel Pinto, now Barcelona’s reserve goalkeeper. “Apart from the atmosphere I remember a very even tie, both home and away" he recalled to www.fcbarcelona.cat.

Future Barça players

Two other players were involved in that match who would later wear the Barça shirt. One was Sylvinho, the left back in that historic Celta side, and the other was Henrik Larsson, who left such great memories at the Camp Nou. It was the Swede who scored the only goal that night at Celtic Park (1-0). “It’s what I remember most about that game, how Larsson latched onto the end of a rebound in the six yard box and scored the winner”, remembers Pinto.

Celtic go through

Celtic won through on that occasion. At Balaídos, Celta won 2-1 but a Hartson away goal was enough to put an end to Lotina’s side’s run. French star Bobo Balde had a cracking performance, one that both Pinto and Sylvinho remember to this day.