Middlesbrough 1-1 Manchester United, premier league match at Ayresome Park, Saturday 3rd October 1992. Paul Ince & Bernie Slaven. (Photo by Teesside Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
It is over 40 years since Bernie Slaven left Glasgow, from Albion Rovers to Middlesbrough but for all Celtic fans Lisboa will always be a place a very special place, much much more than the capital of Portugal.
Slaven’s football career was in danger of petering out in the mid-eighties after starting out at Morton then drifting to Airdrie and Queen of the South.
After a brief spell at Pollok he joined Albion Rovers, despite their lowly position he scored 31 goals in 43 matches to finish season 84/85 as the highest scorer in Scotland.
After sending letters to clubs to get a chance Middlesbrough decided to splash out £35,000, it is doubtful if they ever got better value for money.
In 1986 Middlesbrough somehow escaped Bankruptcy, with Tony Mowbray, Gary Pallister and some other young mainly local talents the club never looked back, becoming members of the original EPL in season 92/93.
I cannot visit Lisbon without going to this stadium. The scarf on the floor is my late father”s who was present when my boyhood hero’s Celtic lifted the European Cup to become the 1st British team to do so. A unique occasion as all of the team were born within a 30 mile radius. pic.twitter.com/JPNoqMcltV
— BERNIE SLAVEN (@bernieslaven) August 18, 2025
Slaven scored 118 goals is 307 matches for ‘Boro over an eight year period that also saw him become part of Jack Charlton’s Ireland squad, earning seven caps through their most successful period.
Since retiring from playing in 1995 he has been a regular media figure in the north east of England and is a genuine Middlesbrough legend, scoring over 100 goals during the most dramatic period in the club’s history.
All along he was never anything other than a Celtic fan, and when in Lisboa there is only one thing to do as his tweets confirm.
Every day of the week Celtic fans visit Estadio Nacional, incredibly it is virtually unchanged since May 1967 which adds to the magic and appeal.
Last month Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic first team squad joined the guest list as they took a short break during pre-season training.
CLICK HERE for Slaven’s Wiki profile.
I was there in 2006 for the Benfica game. Unfortunately I had to witness the Caldwell debacle in a 0-3 defeat. But being in the stadium was one of the greatest days of my life. I phoned the wife crying and ask if she knew where I was. She said of course I do your in the National Stadium because your crying. Never cried at the wedding but that’s a whole different story. Aye the Celtic….