Ian Harte has recounted the tale of Leeds United's Champions League triumph over Deportivo La Coruna, calling it 'one of the best nights ever'.

The Whites enjoyed their most successful spell in recent history as a side assembled by David O'Leary took Europe's premier competition by storm as they toppled some of the continent's biggest names.

Harte was a key part of the side that went on to reach the last four of the Champions League and explained exactly why that night at Elland Road was his favourite.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Harte said: “It was the quarter-finals of the Champions League at Elland Road and it was absolutely packed to the rafters.

“We got a free-kick on the edge of the box and the night before I’d gone to bed and I’d kind of visualised that if I got a free-kick I’d put it down and absolutely leather it.

“Sure enough that’s what happened and it stayed under the right side of the crossbar and in to the back of the goal.

“The other two goals that we got that evening were ones that I set up with crosses.

“I crossed one in for Smithy (Alan Smith) and then a corner that was flicked on by one of the Deportivo defenders found Rio (Ferdinand) who headed in at the far post.

“That was one of my best nights ever.”

Asked if he thought Leeds could recreate those big European occasions, Harte said: “We all hope so.

“It’s a massive club with a massive fanbase – a global fanbase and I’m sure that all of the teams in the Premier League would love to see Leeds back.

“We’re all praying and hoping that they can get promoted this year – we’ve spent too long outside of the top division, so I really hope we can do it.

“When you get to the Premier League you need to recruit better players who are going to make sure that you stay in Premier League and then building off the back of that.

“As a Leeds fan we all hope that one day we’ll be back playing against all of the big clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid again.”