Celtic skipper Paul Lambert has told his team's supporters not to worry about Sunday's Old Firm clash against Rangers as the UEFA Cup final was now more important. Lambert believes that the UEFA Cup showdown against Porto in Seville on May 21, will be the biggest game of the players' lives and will easily overshadow the Glasgow derby. "Whatever happens on Sunday happens, but the final of this is the one you want," said Lambert who limped out of Thursday's 1-0 semi-final win over Boavista midway through the first half - a result which gave the Scottish champions a 2-1 aggregate win.
Swedish international Henrik Larsson struck the only goal of the game to put Celtic into their first European final in 33 years. It was also his 40th goal this season. However, he admitted after the match that the 80th minute winner had an element of fortune about it. "I tried to slip the ball to John Hartson, but thankfully the defender slide-tackled and the ball came back to me," said Larsson who also scored in the first leg in Glasgow. "I didn't get much on it and it certainly didn't go in the right direction, but it doesn't matter, we got one in the end."
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill praised his players' performance and said they deserved the victory which was achieved in a desperately poor game. "Over the two games we deserved it. Boavista were so negative with their diving and time-wasting, and it came back to haunt them eventually," said O'Neill. "I'm delighted for everyone at the club, the players and the supporters - I've always said it's about those who pay and those who play. We know it will be difficult against Porto but there's no reason why we can't win it."
Filed by James Boylan.
