NafisaCeltic’s disastrous Europa League night produced an awkward moment that former Rangers star Andy Halliday could hardly have scripted better, as he brutally mocked Celtic-daft pundit Paul Slane during a live watch-along.
The Hoops had arrived at Parkhead desperate to get their European campaign back on track after defeats against Ferencváros and Benfica. For much of the second half, it appeared they might finally have something to celebrate, with Mika Baur putting Martin O’Neill’s side ahead.
But Celtic’s hopes of securing a much-needed victory soon unravelled, and it was the timing of Celta Vigo’s equaliser that made the moment particularly painful for Slane.
The former Celtic winger was watching the Europa League clash alongside Halliday during a watch-along broadcast at the talkSPORT studios on Thursday night. Also present were pundits Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy, who joined in the celebrations after the Spanish visitors found the net.
Slane had been taking part in a familiar Celtic tradition when the opposition struck, leaving him with an uncomfortable moment in front of his fellow pundits.
And Halliday wasted absolutely no time making sure he knew about it.
Andy Halliday brutally trolls Paul Slane after Celtic equaliser
The incident came during the 67th minute, when Slane was shining a torch and singing in reference to Celtic’s famous Lisbon Lions, who won the European Cup in 1967.
It was supposed to be a moment of celebration for the Celtic supporter. Instead, Celta Vigo spoiled the occasion by finding the back of the net through Javi Rodriguez.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from Halliday, who was joined by O’Hara and Cundy as Slane covered his face in embarrassment.
Halliday immediately seized the opportunity to take a swipe at his fellow pundit, delivering a brutal response to the timing of the equaliser.
The former Rangers midfielder said: “Oh my God. You embarrassment of a boy.
“If anything was meant to be, it was f***ing that, in the 67th minute.
“What a goal. I can’t believe it. The timing of that.”
It was the kind of moment that football rivals live for, with Halliday delighted to see Celtic’s European setback coincide with Slane’s attempt to celebrate the club’s history.
The 67th-minute tradition is associated with Celtic’s European Cup triumph in Lisbon in 1967, when the team became the first British club to win the competition.
However, the significance of the minute made Celta Vigo’s equaliser all the more awkward for Slane, who was left to watch as his fellow pundits revelled in the moment.
Celtic collapse after taking the lead against Celta Vigo
While the watch-along provided plenty of entertainment for Halliday and his fellow pundits, the result itself was another painful blow for Celtic.
O’Neill’s side had taken the lead through Baur early in the second half and appeared to have given themselves a platform to secure their first points of the Europa League campaign.
Instead, Rodriguez equalised from a free-kick before scoring again just minutes later, turning the match around and leaving Celtic facing a third consecutive defeat in the competition.
The first goal was particularly frustrating for O’Neill, who was furious with referee Georgi Kabakov after believing Celtic should have been awarded a foul in the build-up.
The Celtic manager was booked for his protests and later questioned the decision, insisting that his side had been denied a free-kick shortly before Celta Vigo received one of their own.
However, Celtic were unable to recover after conceding, and Rodriguez’s second goal left the hosts with no way back into the contest.
The defeat means Celtic remain without a point after three Europa League matches, leaving their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages in serious danger.
Rangers connection adds another twist to Celtic misery
Halliday’s involvement gave the incident an extra layer of rivalry, with the former Rangers player clearly delighted to witness Celtic’s setback at Slane’s expense.
The pair had been watching the match together as part of the talkSPORT studios’ broadcast, turning what might have been an ordinary goal celebration into one of the night’s most memorable moments.
Open Goal shared footage of the incident on social media, describing the chaos surrounding Slane’s ruined 67th-minute moment and the celebrations from Cundy and O’Hara.
For Halliday, the timing was simply too good to ignore. His reaction captured the kind of banter that often accompanies the rivalry between supporters of Scotland’s biggest clubs.
For Slane, however, the moment could hardly have gone worse. A celebration connected to one of Celtic’s greatest achievements was interrupted by a goal that helped condemn his former club to another damaging European defeat.
Celtic’s problems extend far beyond the embarrassment of a watch-along clip, with O’Neill now facing serious questions about his side’s European performances.
But thanks to Rodriguez’s perfectly timed equaliser and Halliday’s ruthless reaction, the incident has provided Rangers supporters with another reason to enjoy an otherwise miserable night for Celtic.
Nafisa
