Two years after one of Portman Road’s greatest goals ever scored

admin | November 28, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Bersant Celina scored one of the greatest goals at Portman Road two years ago today.

At stoppage time in the first half, Paul Cook’s Blues were leading Crewe, the bottom team in League One, 1-0 when the mercurial Celina struck a remarkable goal.

Initially, he stopped a long pass from George Edmundson dead in its tracks when he was running and a defender was blocking the ball’s path.

Then, still in his six-yard box, the backpedaling Crewe goalie could do nothing to stop the ball from entering the net as he lofted a perfectly-weighted chip over him.

It was a magical moment in an otherwise convincing 2-1 victory, and it was duly named Town’s goal of the year.

Chief Cook remarked: “What a feat! It was a goal big enough to light up any stadium and win any match.

“People will be discussing that one for a very long time. That’s what I believe everyone should be talking about when they leave the stadium.

“Throughout my life, I’ve visited several stadiums, and that is one of the most memorable goals I have ever seen.

“As soon as he got it, I thought, ‘Just take it to the corner,’ and we were ahead 1-0 at the half! However, he creates that one magical moment that most likely only he can.”

Celina scored his 27th goal overall and his 12th goal for Town.

“I think this was my best so far,” he remarked. I am aware that there are still items in my locker, though.

“I’ve already worked on this a lot. It’s encouraging to see something you always do as a child work in a game and result in a win.

“It was a nice first touch, and I made the quick choice to fire. Thank goodness, it entered. All I could sense was that the keeper was out of line.

“I could tell it was going in as soon as it came out of my boot. I was thinking about it since it was my first goal at this end of the stadium (South Stand), and I’ve never scored in the first half of a game at Portman Road.

To be fair, Celina’s goal is regarded as one of the best ever scored at Portman Road.

Currently on loan at AIK Solna in Sweden, Celina, who is currently 27 years old, has made nine appearances this season without scoring.

Since leaving Town in May of last year, he has also played for Stoke City (no goals in eight games) and Kasimpasa in Turkey (one goal in eight games).

Although he hasn’t played for French Ligue 1 team Dijon since May 2021, he is still bound by contract to them.