European Cup Semi Final - First leg

See Also 1967 Celtic Matches
(2nd Leg)
Pictures
April 12th 1967

(from Geoffrey Green, The Times)

If Dukla were to have survived at Parkhead last night they should have done so in the first quarter of an hour. It was then, with studied, subtle, chessboard moves inspired by the master Masopust that they should have secured their future.
As it is, Celtic with a massive second-half bombardment which became faster and more furious the longer the game lasted, have now worked themselves into a position of power. . .

Celtic, having been repreived at the beginning, took the lead just before the half hour when a move begun by Auld and carried on by Wallace was finally forced home by the lively little Johnstone as the right winger cut in. This was squandered moments before half-time when mistackles by McNeill and Murdoch on Nedorost allowed Strunc in with a clear shot after the ball had broken latterly into his stride.

The best of Celtic was yet to come, and it came midway through the second half. It was then that Wallace - an historic Scottish name - pressed home their growing advantage. With 25 minutes left he crashed in a long pass from Gemmell which caught the Czech defence moving forwards on their toes and left them on their heels.
Within two minutes Wallace had done it again. This time Auld slipped a free kick sideways on the edge of the Dukla penalty area, and from 20 yards Wallace hit the target with a great dipping shot as clear as the whistle.

In the first half a header home by Chalmers from Johnstone's cross had been disallowed for an infringement - foot up - by the little winger. With 10 minutes left Celtic suffered again when, in a quick break with Chalmers, Wallace's shot rebounded from the Czech crossbar. . .

It was a fascinating match - a contrast in styles where Czech technique was overpowered by the work and ceaseless effort of a well-drilled Celtic team.

Celtic
Simpson, Craig, McNeill, Clark, Gemmell, Murdoch, Auld, Johnstone, Wallace, Chalmers, Hughes