Rovers knocked out of UEFA Cup

Last updated : 15 November 2002 By Rovers-MAD

Craig Short & Damien Duff shortly after the final whistle

The TV cameras had come to Lancashire to witness this tie and the atmosphere beforehand promised a cracking cup tie but it never quite materialised.

From the moment Henrik Larsson stole a march on Craig Short to chip a crucial away goal and continue his phenomenal scoring record in the 16th minute the tie was virtually over.

Rovers, missing captain Garry Flitcroft through injury, could not find a way through a well-drilled visiting defence.

Andy Cole nearly scored as early as the seventh minute, latching on to John Curtis' through pass, but Rab Douglas was off his line to block.

Henrik Larsson after sinking the first of Celtics 2 goals

After Celtic had taken the lead to the joy of their fanatical supporters at one end, David Thompson hit a stunning right-foot free-kick that shaved a coat of paint from the Celtic crossbar.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness went for broke at half time, bringing Keith Gillespie on for Curtis, but they still did not look like scoring.

In fact, John Hartson should have buried Larsson's cut-back three minutes after the break but he miscued his shot well wide.

Former Blackburn favourite Chris Sutton rose unmarked to head into the top of a startled Brad Friedel's net in the 68th minute and Celtic's passage was secure.

Thompson delightfully turned past a man on the edge of the box before flashing a shot low across the face of goal, but Cole was denied a consolation strike by an excellent block from Ulrik Laursen.

The final score...

Blackburn boss Souness said: "It all depended on the first goal. They got it and I thought that Celtic played very, very well and that Chris Sutton was the best player on the park."

His opposite number Martin O'Neill was delighted at the victory: "I'm extremely pleased, not just for us but for the whole of Scottish football. I'm looking forward to the next round now."