“Jose Mourinho Reveals Rangers Edge Over Celtic in Two Key Areas”

Jose Mourinho is a manager who leaves a bitter taste in many Celtic fans’ mouths.

The Portuguese manager was in charge of the Porto team who faced Celtic in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final which the Hoops cruelly lost in extra-time.

Henrik Larsson was Celtic’s hero on the night but even he couldn’t prevent the defeat in Seville after Porto won the match 3-2.

That night will be remembered by many Celtic supporters for the time-wasting tactics of Mourinho’s Porto but for the Portuguese manager, his memory of facing the Hoops is somewhat different.

Jose Mourinho admits Celtic put his ‘heart-rate at the highest it has ever been’

Celtic fans will long remember the UEFA Cup final of 2003 as a heart-breaking moment in the club’s history.

Mourinho’s Porto team’s conduct that evening left a sour taste in many Celtic fans’ mouths. However, for the Portuguese, he remembers that night for an entirely different reason.

Mourinho told the Daily Record, “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.

“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.”

Martin O’Neill’s memory of facing Jose Mourinho as Celtic boss is totally different

Martin O’Neill has admitted that out of all the experiences he has had as a manager the UEFA Cup Final is one of those he would change.

Of Mourinho, O’Neill once told The Go Radio Football Show that his team were time-wasters and indulged in ‘play acting’ during the whole 90 minutes.

O’Neill was clearly still smarting of that memory as are many thousands of Celtic supporters. As for Jose, it’s good to see Celtic still has a special place in his heart.