A second half goal from Gyorgy Sandor gave Ujpest Dozsa a 1-0 win over Videoton tonight to give Willie McStay’s side a 2-0 aggregate over the league leaders and a place in the semi-finals of the Hungarian Cup.
The game was predictably tight between the top two sides in Hungary this season with Ujpest defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg which was under threat of abandonment due to fog.
“It was a great performance and very satisfying,” said McStay. “It’s pleasing to close down for the break on a real high by beating the league leaders.
“We played a controlled game and were never under any real threat. Having a one goal lead from the first leg can leave you in two minds about how to approach the game but we kept it tight, controlled the pace and always seemed the most likely to win.
“It was a great goal from Gyorgy, he struck it from 22 yards out and the Videoton keeper never really stood a chance of stopping it.
“Reaching the semi-finals of the cup is a big achievement, we’ve just beaten the league leaders home and away so no one can take anything away from us.
DELIGHTED
“Everyone at the club is delighted, we’re stopping for the break on a high. We’ve got a long break when a lot can happen but hopefully we can pick things up again and make a real challenge for honours.”
Videoton had won 1-0 at Ujpest on November 9 with those points allowing them to go into the break with a four point cushion at the top of the table.but were unable to repeat that with Sandor’s goal in the 74th minute putting the tie beyond the league leaders.
The Ujpest end of year party on Friday night should be lively with the club well in contention for two trophies when the season resumes in February with the club hoping to arrange a couple of games in Scotland during January.
McStay will return to Scotland at the weekend and will enjoy a six week break with his family before returning to Hungary to prepare for the second half of the campaign.
He added: “I’m looking forward to the break and a couple of the players will be travelling over to spend some time training with Celtic.
WINDOW
“I’ll have time to think about the second half of the season. With the winter break and a transfer window a lot can happen.
“Debeceren have got the best part of £10m from the Champions League and their manager won’t be wanting the money tucked away in the bank.
“Ideally I’d like to bring in two or three quality players to strengthen the squad but I know that there is bound to be some interest and offers for our players.
SQUAD
“We’ve got one of the smallest squads in the league but out first XI is as good as any as they have shown.
“There’s a group of 13 or 14 players that we’ve worked with and luckily we haven’t had many injuries although Mark Millar missed the last month with a hamstring injury.
“I’d expect Videoton, MTK Budapest, Ferencvaros, Gyor and Debeceren to strengthen during the winter break and hopefully we’ll also be able to bring in some players.
“I’ve enjoyed being back involved in front line management, there’s a lot involved in managing, you need some luck as well as whatever ability and ideas that you have.
“There’s a big challenge for the club in the new year but right now everyone deserves a break and then we can come back stronger and refreshed in February.”
Sounds like they have some handy players in that team. Seems they can defend too. Why don't we take their centre halves, sure they can't be worse than the two donkey's that we have 'marshalling' the defence.
Seems like WMS seems resigned to losing a few players.
Read an article in WSC regarding Hungarian football and the state of the league. They seem to have high hopes for the generation of Hungarian players coming through.
Good time maybe to have a presence, which isn't a presence there.
LOTW
Hungary finished 3rd at the recent u-20 World Cup, their u-21s beat Italy this month. They seem to be producing players again and if Celtic are getting a good close look at some prospects then better judgements can be made.