Vincent Kompany is the name on the lips of English football today after scoring the precious goal to edge Manchester City ahead of Manchester United in the race for the title.
In first half stoppage time the City defender eluded Smalling to head powerfully into the net to the delight of the home fans at the Etihad Stadium.
By the new standards of the club the £6m that Mark Hughes agreed to pay Hamburg for the defender in August 2008 was something of a bargain
Kompany spent two unhappy seasons in the Bundesliga after Hamburg splashed out £8m to take him from Belgium.
The teenager first came to prominence at the Belgian side making a big impression during the 2003/04 Champions League campaign as a 17-year-old.
Up against Celtic, Bayern Munich and Lyon the young defender didn’t look out of place as clubs around Europe began to sit up and take notice.
Celtic travelled to the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium to face Anderlecht on 21 October 2003 on the back of a devastating performance beating Lyon 2-0 following a predictable 2-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich in the opening group match.
With Chris Sutton providing a powrful force in midfield behind Henrik Larsson and John Hartson hopes were high that Martin O’Neill’s side could gain their first away win in the Champions League.
A 25th minute red card for Glen De Boeck increased the hopes of the visting support but with Komany catching the eye Celtic toiled to break down their hosts before falling behind to a goal from Aruna Dindane with 20 minutes left to play.
Celtic threw on Liam Miller to salvage a point but the Belgians held on to win the points.
Kompany’s performance attracted Alex Ferguson to the reverse fixture at Celtic Park but it was Miller that impressed the Manchester United boss who left when Miller was substituted late in the second half.
Surprisingly it was Hamburg that signed Kompany- perhaps if Ferguson had followed up on the progress of the young defender the noisy neighbours wouldn’t be two wins away from the first championship since 1968.
ANDERLECHT: Zitka: De Boeck, Zewlakow, Deschacht, Kompany; Basseggio, Kolar, Wilhelmsson (Hendrikx 88), Hasi, Dindane, Mormar
CELTIC: Hedman: McNamara (Valgaeren 46) , Varga, Balde: Agathe, Lennon (Miller 80), Sutton, Petrov, Thompson: Hartson, LarssonÂ
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I remember the match at Parkhead well, Liam Miller was frightening that night.
…Vincent Kompany played for Hamburg before joining City. Was there for just about 2 seasons too. Was injured for the vast majority of it though.
my grandmother could defend against celtic,he scored last night it doesn`t make him world class though.
It’s often said to kids that open their mouth and speak on subjects they nothing about markyBOY….
If you have nothing to say, then say nothing…
Your grandmother clearly knew more about football than you…
Maybe his granny is good on the old playstation, that must be his only experience of football to make a statement like that. Seriously he scores one goal doesn’t make him world class, no but the fact he’s been one of the best players in the EPL would suggest he’s pretty good.
Liam Miller we stuck by him when he was injured and i think if he stayed for another season or two his carrer might have been different.
Kompany is a great player. It would be good to see him play for a big club one day.
Ha, you fool…..
Fool? How is he not a great player?