Celtic's previous European Cup match against Real Madrid in Glasgow was a glorious occasion. But for one of the goal scorers that evening there would be a tragic tale to follow.
For two great clubs trying to restore glory days in European club football, the 1979/80 European Cup had been a struggle for both Celtic and Real Madrid. The Scottish champions, managed by Billy McNeill, trailed Partizan Tirana 2-0 on aggregate in the first round before rallying to win 4-2. And they were far from convincing in a 3-2 aggregate win over Irish champions Dundalk.
Reaching their first European Cup quarter final since 1974, Celtic would take on the might of Real Madrid, yet the Spanish giants were far from the intimidating prospect of the 1960s. In fact, coach Vujadin Boskov was the latest to try and win a seventh European Cup for the club, their last success coming in 1966.
Trailing 2-0 to Porto in the second round first leg, a vital away goal from English winger Laurie Cunningham would prove crucial, as Real eventually progressed on away goals. "We are well pleased with this draw," Cunningham admitted, with Boskov noting that Celtic were technically inferior to his team. Both may have been regretting these comments after a trying night at Celtic Park.
"It is vital we win without losing a goal," McNeill stated before the first leg. "The game gives us a chance to find out how good we really are." For long periods of the first half it looked as if Cunningham, Boskov, and the previews would be spot on. The visitors dominated from the off.
The Guardian's Patrick Barclay wrote how Celtic had "gone in at half-time to all appearance hopelessly outplayed by a side whose quality in attack evoked memory of the era when Real Madrid dominated European football." Del Bosque, Stielike, Santillana, Cunningham and Juanito were running the show.
Yet crucially the home team held firm, aided by some fine saves from English keeper Peter Latchford. Denying Cunningham and Santillana in the first half, Latchford was relieved when the former struck two further efforts just wide. Bobby Lennox, a Lisbon Lion from 1967, would spurn Celtic's best chance.
The second half was a different story. After denying George McCluskey early on, keeper Garcia Remon was at fault for Celtic's opener in the 52nd minute. Failing to hold Alan Sneddon's drive, Remon could not make up for his error, as McCluskey gave Celtic the lead and the roof came off the stadium.
McCluskey's goal gave Celtic belief as the volume increased in the recorded crowd of 67,000 (some estimate that the gate was significantly higher than this figure). Centre back Tom McAdam had a header cleared off the line and McCluskey was denied a second after a very close offside. But with just 13 minutes left, a headed goal from an unlikely source sent Celtic into dream territory.
Sneddon would be involved again, with his cross from the right flighted invitingly in between two Real defenders. Yet it would be a shock that the head of diminutive winger Johnny Doyle was on the end of Sneddon's delivery. Attacking the ball, Doyle gave Remon no chance, wheeling away in delight, every inch the Celtic fan that was living the dream of playing for the club he loved.
Remon would deny Murdo MacLeod and Danny McGrain as Celtic went in search for barely believable third goal. Yet the 2-0 win was beyond most expectations. "Celtic achieved one of the most remarkable results of even their extensive European history," Barclay declared, as hopes grew of a place in the last four.
Despite the first leg advantage, Barclay indicated that "on balance Real must be favourites to go through." McNeill and Latchford both agreed that the first half hour would be crucial, with Celtic's manager hopeful that the anticipated crowd of 110,000 may grow impatient if the away team could frustrate their opponents.
All seemed to be going to plan as the first half progressed. The home team had come out fighting, a number of challenges leaving Celtic players writhing in agony. McCluskey missed a decent chance early on, and Latchford pulled off fine saves from Juanito and Del Bosque. Yet Celtic's determined midfield limited Real's threat and as half-time neared it appeared as if the storm had been weathered.
However, everything changed in the 44th minute. Latchford failed to collect a corner - some reports hinting at a foul on the keeper - as Santillana poked home from close range, completely changing the atmosphere in the stadium and giving Real a much-needed boost as the half ended.
Del Bosque began to dominate midfield, with Cunningham increasingly a threat from the wing, as Celtic tried their best to hold back the tide. But in the 56th minute Real levelled the tie, Santillana heading down Cunningham's cross to Stielike who fired home from ten yards out.
Celtic had a good shout for a penalty turned down as gradually they regained their composure. But with just four minutes remaining, an unmarked Juanito headed past Latchford to end Celtic's European Cup hopes. Real were now just 180 minutes away from a final that would be played at their own Bernabeu stadium.
A 2-0 win over Hamburg in the first leg of the semi-final edged Real closer. But as they had learned from the Celtic experience, this was no guarantee of success. Losing the second leg 5-1, Boskov's team would not bring an end to the European Cup drought. The run would last another 18 years.
Yet any sporting disappointment felt by Celtic or Real Madrid should be put into perspective when looking back at the scorer of Celtic's second goal in that famous win in Glasgow. Doyle had grown up as a Celtic fan and earned his dream move to the club in 1976. Winning two Scottish titles and Scottish Cups with Celtic, scoring against Real Madrid was another chapter in Doyle's fairy tale.
Sadly, there would be a tragic ending. While fixing a plug in his loft in October 1981, Doyle was electrocuted and died at the age of 30. "John was a truly great Celt and would want to be remembered as such," Celtic chairman Desmond White stated. "Celtic was his life," Jim Reynolds wrote in the Glasgow Herald.
Celtic would win the 1981/82 Premier League and dedicated the trophy to Doyle. On the day the title was clinched against St Mirren, his name would be sung from the terraces. Celtic band Charlie and the Bhoys recorded a tribute to Doyle. It included a section recalling that famous goal in March 1980, and it seems a fitting way to end this piece:
In Europe 1980, he made a gallant bid,
He capped a great performance, against Real Madrid,
He rose with two defenders, to win the ball so clean,
With Sabido and Camacho, was the man who loved the green.
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