WHERE EAGLES DARE

Super Palace give Glasner perfect send-off with scintillating European victory in Leipzig

- RYAN TAYLOR

FORGET the Freedom of Croydon - Oliver Glasner has now firmly entered statue territory.

As exultant tears flowed from jubilant sons, proud mothers and delirious fathers on a riveting night in East Germany, Crystal Palace tasted limitless joy once more.

It was rather fitting that Jean-Philippe Mateta, whose AC Milan transfer collapsed on deadline day in January due to a knee issue, netted to cap his stunning redemption arc.

Continental football, let alone glory, has long been a pipe dream in the streets surrounding Selhurst Park.

Shattering the glass ceiling in Leipzig, the European epicentre of multi-club ownership, made this remarkable triumph all the sweeter following last summer's catastrophic UEFA ruling which consigned Palace to the Conference competition.

Not even departing boss Glasner, the brains behind the brilliance, could have envisaged what has transpired over the past 12 months. After lifting three trophies and with Europa League qualification secure, a whole generation of supporters are beginning to wonder if they'll ever wake up.