Sporting great Hilario believes Lisbon club can avenge 1971 heartbreak

“Sporting can win the Uefa Cup this year”

As Sporting prepare to take on Rangers in the first-leg of the Uefa Cup quarter-final at Ibrox, one of the Lions’ former greats who played against the Scots in the incredible ‘victory that never was’ looks back on the unprecedented encounter at Alvalade 37 years ago.

Speaking to PortuGOAL.net, Hilario da Conceicao also gives his views on the upcoming meeting between the two teams.

Known simply as Hilario, the left-back is a hero of the 1966 World Cup for Portugal, and veteran of 14 seasons wearing the green and white of the Lisbon outfit, during which time he won 3 championships, 3 Portuguese Cups and the Cup Winners Cup.


Do you remember the tie well?

“Yes, I remember it well. We lost the first leg in Glasgow 3-2. I had a terrible game. I was the left-back and the right winger played really well. The three goals they scored all came from my side.

“The second leg was a different story. We played well, and managed to level the scores on aggregate. The referee ordered penalties to be taken, and our keeper, Vitor Damas, had an inspirational night. He saved three penalties.

“We went to the changing rooms celebrating exuberantly. There we were drinking champagne and celebrating getting through to the next round when, twenty minutes later, one of the directors walked in and said that we had in fact lost on the away goals rule.

“We couldn’t believe it. Some players even started crying. As for the supporters, some of them only realised Sporting had lost the tie the next day. They left the ground happy thinking we had won.”

What do you think about Sporting’s chances of beating Rangers in the upcoming tie?

“Sporting this season have played one good game followed by one bad game and so on. But in the big matches they have played well. Against Benfica and Porto and in the European games they grow as a team.

“Sporting have a good young and hungry players. Rangers are a big team, but provided Sporting go on the pitch with good concentration levels, I’m confident they can win the tie.

“Sporting have done well against British teams recently. I think the Portuguese style of play is suited to playing against British teams. You can also see this in the international game as Portugal beat England in the last European Championships and the last World Cup.”

If you could choose between Sporting finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League or getting to the final and winning the Uefa Cup which would you choose?

“I’d choose both! But I have more faith in Sporting winning the Uefa Cup than in finishing second. I’ve got faith that they can get to the final of the Uefa Cup this season and win the trophy.”

You were part of the team that lifted Sporting’s one and only European trophy in 1963/64. What memories do you have of that triumph?

“Well, what sticks in the mind is the incredible win against Manchester United. We lost the first leg 4-1 at Old Trafford. United were one of the best teams in the world, with Best, Law, etc. But in Lisbon we won 5-0. It was a perfect night.”


Related: The night Sporting thought they had ousted Rangers