‘I was out cold, waiting for an ambulance and he’s trying to get me sent off’ - Lambert to renew old rivalry in Meppen

Paul Lambert enjoyed a successful career at Celtic. Picture: PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

The Blues take part in a four-team tournament at the Hansch Arena home of German third division side SV Meppen, in an event also including Fortuna Dusseldorf and Dutch side FC Utrecht.

And it's the Eredivise team that presents Lambert with the opportunity to potentially share a touchline with an old sparring partner.

Should the Blues ultimately face Utrecht following their semi-final clash with Fortuna, Lambert's side will take on a team managed by fabled boss Dick Advocaat.

The 71-year-old, who has managed the Netherlands (twice), Russia, Belgium, South Korea, Serbia, PSV, Sunderland, Zenit and Fenerbahce during his long career, was in charge of Rangers during much of Lambert's time as a midfielder at Celtic.

Lambert lifts the Scottish Premier League trophy at Celtic Park in 2002. Picture: PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

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Advocaat's Rangers won the domestic treble in the 1998/99 season before winning the league again the following year.

Old Firm games between the two during that period were particularly tumultuous, but it's an incident in a game between the two in November 1999 which brought Lambert and Advocaat together.

Lambert was stretchered off during a game which Rangers ultimately won 4-2, with the Town boss knocked unconscious after taking a knee to the jaw as he gave away a penalty for a foul on Jorg Albertz.

Lambert lost four teeth in the incident but absolved Albertz of any blame, even though TV replays later showed the German full-back had dived to win the penalty.

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"People keep saying I made a reckless tackle, but I must be the first guy in the history of football to bring down an opponent with my jaw - that was the only point of contact," Lambert said in an interview soon after.

Lambert was not happy with Advocaat's behaviour, though: "I'm told that that Dick Advocaat was in the referee's room during the interval demanding I should have been given a red card for giving away the penalty. I was out cold on the stretcher in the dressing room, waiting for the ambulance, and he's trying to get me sent off. I don't have a problem with Jorg, he saw a situation and played for the penalty. He also apologised to me.

Ipswich Town compete in the Interwetten Cup this weekend. Picture: SVMEPPEN (Image: Archant)

"But what Advocaat did still disappoints me. It is not professionalism, because my injury could have been much worse for all he knew.

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"I cannot remember a thing about the game, not even the two goals we scored. I blacked out totally, although I have watched the tackle on video since."

Celtic ultimately won back control of Scottish football following the appointment of Martin O'Neill in 2000, with Lambert winning four league titles, two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups during his time at the club.

Dick Advocaat is in charge of FC Utrecht. Picture: PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

He was also named Scottish Football Writers Association player of the year in 2002 before being inducted into Scottish football's hall of fame in 2009.