Pacult says he will have happy memories of the Europa League

Peter Pacult, the Rapid Vienna coach, insists he will look back fondly on his team's Europa League campaign, despite finishing bottom of Group C.

Rapid raced to a three-goal lead against Celtic in the final match in the section, only to be pegged back to 3-3 in injury time by the Scots.

"I am happy with the experience," said Pacult, whose side won just one match.

"We have great fans and have had some great travels so we need to make sure we are there again next season."

Going into Thursday's game against Celtic, a match in which both sides knew they could not progress to the last 32 of the tournament, Rapid had the highest average attendance of all the teams in the competition.

More than 49,000 fans have been watching them play Europa League games in the Ernst Happel Stadium, the club having made the decision to stage their matches there and not at their own ground, the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, which holds around 17,000.

Pacult had stated before the game, Rapid's last before the winter break, that the game was "a way to say thank you" to the club's supporters.

"The way the table finishes is not that important, what is important is to show a great effort and give the fans something to be proud about."

With the team enjoying a comfortable three-goal lead after 19 minutes, thanks to two goals by Nikica Jelavic and one by Hamdi Salihi, the fans must have been bursting with pride.

Yet Celtic fought back through Marc-Antoine Fortune and Paul McGowan to show a spirit and pride of their own.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version