The first game between Rapid and Scottish opposition was in the 1964/65 season in the UEFA Cup against then Scottish Champions Glasgow Rangers. Following a 0 – 1 reverse hopes were high amongst the Viennese that passage to the quarterfinals could be secured. A snow covered pitch had to be cleared a few days before the match which took place on December 8th 1965 in front of 70.000 onlookers. Unfortunately the Scots took the conditions in the Praterstadium rather better than expected and ran out deserved 2 – 0 winners. The game was played out in good spirits as journals from both sides testify. This would seldom be the case in following encounters. Almost 20 years later Rapid played against Scottish Champions Dundee United in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals. Following wins against French and Czech opposition Rapid felt confident of progression to the last four. In front of 18.000 in the Hanappi Stadium, Rapid couldn´t turn chances into goals and United actually snatched a 0 – 1 lead. It wasn´t until the final 15 minutes that Rapid broke through, sub Hagmayr equalising before fellow sub Kranjcar snatched victory for the Viennese. Rapid travelled to Scotland full of confidence but fell behind following an early onslaught from the hosts. Despite plenty of possession afterwards the Green Whites went out on away goals after failing to create clear cut chances. Later that year Rapid was again paired with Scottish opposition, this time it was Scottish cup winners Celtic. 16,000 fans crowded the Hanappi Stadium as Rapid ran out 3 –  1 victors. In the return game in Glasgow on 7th November 1984 one of the great scandals of European football transpired and the following aftermath saw the game annulled as we all know. Rapid won the replay in Manchester United´s Old Trafford Stadium through todays manager Peter Pacult´s solitary goal. Five years later Rapid and Aberdeen played out a bad tempered 1st round UEFA Cup match. Referee Negreira dished out a total of 7 yellow and 1 red cards. Kranjcar put Rapid one goal up but the 10 man Rapid succumbed to an eventual 1 – 2 defeat. The second leg saw Jan Age Fjörtoft level for the Viennese in lashing rain in the Hanappi Stadium. The Scots battled hard as Rapid playmakers Herzog and Kranjcar both departed through injury but Rapid clung on to the one goal lead to win on away goals. 25 years after the drama´s of 1984, Rapid and Celtic met again in this season´s UEFA Europa League group phase. Following pre match emotions the game played out in a great spirit culminating in 1 – 1 draw. Both teams have since been eliminated from the competition resulting in tonight’s match being for prestige and pride only. If Rapid should win it would represent a 6th victory in Europe this season, surpassing the previous record of five.(gw)
31.08.2015