Celtic’s run to the 2002/03 Uefa Cup final was full of defining moments that play in a loop inside the heads of many a Bhoys fan when the tournament is mentioned. From the 10-1 aggregate win over Suduva to Henrik Larsson’s looping header to equalise for a second time in the Seville final, every supporter will have their favourite.

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon – who was a vital part of Martin O’Neill’s squad that year – told STV's The Football Years his personal favourite was Celtic’s pivotal victory over English giants Liverpool in the quarter finals.

Having drawn the first leg at Parkhead 1-1, the Scottish side were written off by the English press as they went to Anfield needing to score at least one goal to keep their dreams of progressing alive.

On the night, O’Neill’s team were more than a match for a disjointed Liverpool team and Alan Thompson rifled home a free kick on the stroke of half-time to put the Hoops a goal in front.

“So we’ve got the away goal, just right on half time,” recalls Lennon. “It was such a huge boost for us. We were pretty happy with the way we played in the first 45 minutes. Martin asked for more of the same; just defend for your life and be brave on the ball when you can.”

As Liverpool pressed in vain for an equaliser, Celtic struggled to retain possession and were under the cosh until a frustrated verbal exchange between Lennon and striker John Hartson sparked the giant striker into life.

“About half an hour into the second half, big John [Hartson]’s going through a wee dodgy period and gave the ball away a couple of times,” said Lennon. “So I said ‘hey, you, you hold that ball’.

“Then he turned round to me and said ‘you shut up or I will rip your head off’. Something like that, words to that effect anyway. Two minutes later I played it into him and he shrugged off Hyppia, played a one two with Henrik [Larsson] and lashed one into the top corner.

“That was the best moment for me in the whole tournament that goal. Just to see the big man wheel away to our fans and looking at our bench and you know that you are 3-1 up with 10 minutes to go and there is just no way back for Liverpool.”

That 2-0 win against the odds inspired Celtic and encapsulated their never-say-die attitude that season. A similar result at home to Boavista in the first leg of the semi-finals also threatened to see them fall at the last hurdle, but Larsson’s goal in Portugal sent them through to the final.

Against Porto in the showpiece in Seville, they twice came from behind, forcing extra time against Jose Mourinho’s side before they ran out of time to reply to Derlei’s 115th minute winner.