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.