John Collins in action against RFC LiegeJohn Collins in action against RFC Liege
John Collins in action against RFC Liege

When 2000 Hibs fans travelled to Liege in 1989

More than a decade had passed since Hibs’ 2-1 aggregrate defeat by Strasbourg in the 1978/79 UEFA Cup but a fifth-place finish in 1988 took the Easter Road side back into Europe.

Hungarians Videoton were dealt with in round one, setting up a meeting with RFC de Liege who had eliminated Icelandic side ÍA.

A goalless draw at Easter Road was best remembered for Keith Houchen winning, and missing a penalty kick. As a result, Hibs travelled to Belgium backed by a large travelling support keen to cheer the side into round three.

At the Stade Vélodrome de Rocourt, 90 minutes passed without any goals albeit both teams had chances. Midway through extra time, Jean-François De Sart beat Andy Goram with a wonderstrike from all of 40 yards. It was to be the only goal of the game.

Liege reached the quarter-finals where they lost to Werder Bremen, and De Sart would knock out Hibs again with new club Anderlecht three years later.

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