On October 20, 1996, Celtic faced Hearts at Tynecastle in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Celtic, managed by Tommy Burns, had a chance to go top of the table with a win, thanks to two goals from Pierre van Hooijdonk, who was in exceptional form. Stewart Kerr continued in goal for Celtic after Gordon Marshall’s red card in the previous match against Motherwell. However, Hearts managed to snatch a point in the dying moments with a last-minute header from Davie McPherson. The match was significant as it spurred Celtic to reopen contract talks with Van Hooijdonk and his agent, Rob Jansen, due to his fine form.
Two years later, on October 20, 1998, Celtic drew 1-1 with FC Zurich in the second round of the UEFA Cup. Harald Brattbakk scored for Celtic, but the game turned after Tom Boyd’s sending off for handball just before halftime. Although Jonathan Gould saved the resulting penalty, Zurich managed to equalize late in the match. The tie ended in disappointment, as Celtic were eliminated two weeks later after a 4-2 defeat in Switzerland.
Additionally, on October 20, 1993, Celtic secured a 1-0 victory against Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup. Gerry Creaney’s early goal gave Celtic a crucial win under interim manager Frank Connor. This win extended Connor’s unbeaten run as Celtic’s temporary manager, as the club navigated a turbulent period both on and off the pitch.
These matches highlight memorable moments in Celtic’s history during the late 1990s.
On **October 20, 2018**, Celtic claimed a thrilling 4-2 win over Hibernian in what was a fascinating tactical battle between Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon at Celtic Park. Despite the pressure of the match, Hibs played without fear and put up a strong fight. Odsonne Edouard, Tom Rogic, and Olivier Ntcham scored the key goals that allowed Celtic to secure all three points. This match was part of a crucial period for Celtic, as they had an unsteady start to the 2018/2019 season. However, important wins over Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hibernian helped reaffirm their domestic dominance. There had been early whispers of Hibs mounting a title challenge, but Celtic’s performance that day confirmed their superiority.
On **October 20, 2011**, Celtic drew 1-1 with Rennes in a Europa League group-stage match in France. Neil Lennon’s side faced difficult times, trailing Rangers by 10 points in the Scottish Premiership at the time. Just five days earlier, Celtic made a remarkable comeback against Kilmarnock, recovering from 3-0 down to draw 3-3, which may have saved Lennon’s job. The match in Rennes, however, became infamous for one of Celtic’s most bizarre own goals. A communication breakdown between Cha Du-Ri and Fraser Forster led to Rennes taking the lead, even though they hadn’t registered a shot on target by halftime. Joe Ledley eventually found an equalizer for Celtic, salvaging a draw that gave their traveling support something to cheer about.
Both matches represent iconic moments in recent Celtic history under Rodgers and Lennon, showcasing the highs and lows that come with the club’s European and domestic challenges.
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