 In 1970, in a game that was referred to by the contemporary media as the football "Battle of Britain", he scored for Celtic in a 1–0 win against the English champions Leeds United.His first-minute strike in the first leg of the Champions' Cup semi final at Elland Road helped Celtic progress to their second European Cup final, against Feyenoord.Connelly was earmarked as the natural successor to Billy McNeill at the heart of the Celtic defence and most likely as captain too.