Former European champions Celtic and FC Porto will relish their return to the international spotlight when they meet in Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville.The showpiece match in the Andalucian capital will provide both sides a long overdue opportunity for European success, many years after they last appeared in a major final. For Porto, who should have midfielder Francisco Costinha fit after a thigh injury, victory would also keep them on course for a glorious treble.Celtic had less welcome injury news going into the game, with Welsh striker John Hartson ruled out with a back problem, but they will nevertheless be confident that this will be the start of a momentous few days that could also bring them the Scottish league title.Celtic became the first British club to lift the European Cup in 1967, when their “Lisbon Lions” beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Portuguese capital. The Scottish giants reached the final again in 1970 only to lose to Feyenoord in Milan. Porto’s night of European glory came in 1987 with victory over Bayern Munich in Vienna.Porto have already wrapped up the Portuguese championship and Wednesday’s game could see them take the second leg of a treble, with their domestic Cup final to come next month. That will give them a slight advantage over Celtic, who are involved in a title race with Rangers that could hardly be any tighter.The two great Glasgow rivals will go into the final round of matches level on points, with equal goal difference and with Rangers ahead by virtue of having scored one more goal. (Reuters)
