Shakhter Karagandy felt the heat of UEFA after sacrificing a sheep before they played Celtic in a Champions League qualifier.
And Celtic were almost lambs to the slaughter in the tie after going own 2-0 in Kazakhstan – before coming back from the dead in the return at Parkhead with a stunning 3-0 victory for Neil Lennon’s men. But one man never really recovered from the Astana Arena defeat – while another went from strength to strength. After picking up a couple of Scottish league titles and the League Cup, Virgil Van Dijk earned a move to Southampton then became the world’s most expensive defender with a £75m switch to Liverpool.
Steven Mouyokolo might not be a name as well remembered by Celtic fans. He made just one more appearance after that night in Kazakhstan – as an injury-time sub at Tannadice towards the end of that season.
The Frenchman arrived during that same summer as Van Dijk – who joined from Groningen for a bargain £2.6million – following a successful trial during pre-season. But a ruptured Achilles tendon during a training session wrecked his Celtic career and, ultimately, ended his playing career.
While Van Dijk has proved the real deal it has been real estate for Mouyokolo, just 26 when he signed for Celtic, after hanging up his boots. Mouyokolo loved his time in Glasgow despite spending so much time on the treatment table. He even named his son Cameron as a reminder of his stint in Scotland.
In an interview with Record Sport four years ago, he said: “Losing to Shakhter Karagandy was a tough experience. It was difficult, playing abroad on a plastic pitch and Champions League games are different. But it happens in football. I did my Achilles and it was difficult after that. I had to retire from football and I’ve moved into real estate, helping players with investments.
“But I enjoyed my time so much in Scotland. My son was conceived in Scotland and was due to be born there but we left a couple of months before it happened. The country left a mark on me so we named him Cameron. It was like a thank you for all the love I received over there. Despite my injury it is still one of my best experiences in football and I met great people.
“After Celtic I returned to Sochaux and was waiting for great challenges but they didn’t come. I had a trial in China and had offers in the second and third division overseas but it’s hard after you leave a club like Celtic.”