It’s incredible to think it’s 18 years today since Celtic turned Seville green and white.
There’s a lot of water that’s passed under the bridge since then but memories are still fresh from Martin O’Neill side’s run to the UEFA Cup Final in 2003.
The Hoops saw off Sudova, Blackburn Rovers, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart, Liverpool and Boavista to set off a mass migration to the Spanish town, with more than 80,000 fans swarming to the sunshine.
There’s was no fairytale ending as Jose Mourinho’s Porto broke Celtic hearts in extra time after an epic 120 minutes in sweltering heat.
But the Bhoys from Seville have still gone down in folklore as one of the greatest sides the club has seen.
It’s been a while though, so what are those famous Celts up to these days?
Rab Douglas
The keeper is currently the goalkeeper coach at Arbroath after playing in the first team up until the age of 45. Big Rab was named on the bench a couple of times last season during a Red Litchies injury crisis and still might get the chance to break the record as the oldest player to appear in Scotland.
Joos Valgaeren
The big Belgian defender was a star man in O’Neill’s early days but faded after Seville and eventually moved back to his homeland.
He had three injury hit seasons at Club Brugge before a spell at FC Emmen in Holland. He retired in 2010 and returned to the quiet life away from football in Belgium.
Bobo Balde
The giant centre half was a fans’ favourite at Parkhead until he fell out with the club over contract issues under Gordon Strachan. He made more than 160 appearances for the Hoops before seeing out his career in France.
Balde returned to Guinea and he had spells as an assistant boss at club level, before working with the national sides, including a stint as under 20s boss.
Johan Mjallby
The Swedish defender was another one of O’Neill’s rocks at the back. He returned to the club as assistant boss to Neil Lennon in his first time in charge in 2010 and then the pair worked together at Bolton.
He had spells as boss at Vasteras and Gefle in Sweden, where is is currently in charge of FC Stockholm in the fourth tier.
Didier Agathe
The wide man was a bargain buy for O’Neill and a smash hit. He spent time at Aston Villa before setting up an academy in his home on La Reunion islands.
He recently was boss at Durham University and is now working with Chester-le-Street.
Alan Thompson
The wing back is another who has had long links with the Hoops, also returning to work with Lennon during his first spell as manager. He’s also worked with Lee Clarke at Birmingham, Blackpool and Bury and has an autobiography out later this year.
Paul Lambert
Currently out of work after a long managerial career. Lambert has managed Livingston, Wycombe, Colchester, Norwich City, Aston Villa, Wolves Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City and latterly Ipswich Town. He was linked with the Celtic job but insisted he didn’t want considered.
Neil Lennon
His second spell in charge of the Hoops ended in February with the club’s 10 in a Row hopes in ruins. He picked up five trophies on the spin when he came in on the back of Brendan Rodgers’s shock departure but is currently doing media work and waiting for his next job.
Stan Petrov
Went on to become a club hero at Aston Villa where his playing career came to an end after a battle with cancer. Recovered from the disease and now does charity work and has studied for qualifications in the business side of sport with a view to becoming a football administrator.
Chris Sutton
A star columnist for the Daily Record and in demand pundit for the BBC and BT Sports. His foray in toe management at Lincoln City didn’t work out but he’s became one of the busiest men in the media.
Henrik Larsson
The Celtic legend has had a mixed bag in management but he’s currently a coach at Barcelona, where he’s also hailed as a hero.
He had a couple of spells in charge of Helsingborgs in his homeland and was linked with the Celtic manager’s job a few years ago.
Subs
Magnus Hedman
Struggled with drink and drugs in recent years before getting clean and he now helps other sports stars with addictions.
Jackie McNamara
Worked as a consultant for Dunfermline as part of sports company. Had successful spells as a manager at Partick Thistle and Dundee United, when he brought through stars such as Andy Robertson and Stuart Armstrong.
Ulrik Laursen
Retuned to Copenhagen where he now works as a physio.
Momo Sylla
A surprise singing from St Johnstone, he spent recent years building a soap company.
Jamie Smith
Moved to the USA to play and is on the coaching staff at Colorado Rapids.
David Fernandez
A flair player with Celtic and Livingston, now working as a scout for Man City.
Shaun Maloney
Building a reputation as a coach as Roberto Martinez’s right hand man with the Belgium national team.
