Mourinho makes claim about Celtic's 2003 UEFA Cup final performance

The Herald Scotland

13-05-2025

Porto eventually emerged as 3-2 victors in the match despite Henrik Larsson levelling the tie on two separate occasions.
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Mourinho recently spoke highly of Scottish football, having completed his UEFA B Licence with the SFA at Largs when he was a young coach.
He said [scottishfa.co.uk]: "Even around 30 years later I still feel that connection because it was an important part of my formation.
"When I remember Scotland growing up, I remember the Scotland I loved as a fan. I was following World Cups and I remember that generations of the likes of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen.
"When I remember Scotland growing up, I remember the Scotland I loved as a fan. I was following World Cups and I remember that generations of the likes of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen.
"Then later on, I played Celtic in the UEFA Cup Final and that was the match that put my heart-rate at the highest it had ever been because of the intensity, the spirit, the determination of that team. So hard, so difficult to play against. I think it's part of the Scottish culture."
Mourinho encountered Celtic's city rivals, Rangers, earlier this season, although his Fenerbahce side lost on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw.