Match 1495 - Saturday, 29th December 2012

Season:  2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  EASTER ROAD STADIUM

***  SHOCK WIN FOR HIBS  ***

              

HIBERNIAN    1     CELTIC     0

Scorer:  Griffiths

What a difference a Saturday afternoon 3pm kick off time and no television coverage makes to a game of football.  Easter Road was almost fill in contrast to last years corresponding fixtures that I attended.

I've said before that Leigh Griffiths is the best player in Scotland outside of Celtic Park and he continued his terrific season by scoring the only goal of this encounter to the delight of the big Hibs support.

It was a wet miserable afternoon and Celtic's play mirrored the weather.

Easter Road is my favourite ground in Scotland (bar one exception) since the completion of the steep single tier East Stand therefore it was great to witness it almost full and the atmosphere it and a memorable win created even if it was at the expense of Celtic.
 

Hibernian:

01 Williams;  02 Clancy (Maybury);  04 Hanlon;  06 McPake;  07 Deegan;  08 Claros;  11 Cairney;

16 Stevenson;  20 Taiwo (Handling );  09 Griffiths (Wotherspoon); 10 Doyle

Celtic:

01 Forster;  03 Izaguirre;  04 Ambrose (McGeouch);  06 Wilson;  23 Lustig;  25 Rogne (Kayal)

08 Brown;  67 Wanyama;  09 Samaras;  11 Nouioui (McCourt); 88 Hooper

Attendance:

16,800

 

Match 1494 - Saturday, 22nd December 2012

Season: 2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    4    ROSS COUNTY    0

Scorers:  Brown, Hooper(2), Forrest

 

Two sides of Celtic on view today, bad first half like many of their home SPL matches this calender year followed by a very good second half display.

FLASH BACK - Match 1365 - 10th April 2010

Season:  2009/10
SCOTTISH CUP Semi Final
Venue:  HAMPDEN PARK
 PARK

                    

 

 

 

CELTIC    2 - 0    ROSS COUNTY

Scorers:  Craig, Scott

 

First Division Ross County cause a huge upset in the semi final of the Scottish Cup to compound an awful season for Celtic.  Celtic had high hopes that Neil Lennon would salvage some from a poor season under Tony Mowbray but truth be told Ross County didn't need to play exceptionally well to knock out this sorry Celtic side with no fight or quality.

Celtic:

Zaluska,  Hinkel (Rasmussen 84),   Naylor,   Thompson,  O'Dea,  N'Guemo (Crosas),  Brown,  McGeady,  Keane,  Samaras,  Fortune (McCourt 67)

Ross County:

McGovern,   Miller,  Morrison,  Boyd,  Keddie,  Scott,  Brittain,  Vigurs,  Gardyne (Lawson 90+1),  Barrowman,  Craig
 

Att: 24,535

 

FLASH BACK - Match 1095 - 10th January 2004

Season:  2003/04
SCOTTISH CUP 3rd ROUND
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                         

 CELTIC    2 - 0    ROSS COUNTY 

Scorers:  Hartson, Lambert

Att:  30,565 

Took the whole family to this one in what was the first ever meeting between the sides in a competitive match.  My youngest son, Paul who was 3 fell asleep during a pretty uneventful Scottish Cup tie.  Despite fielding a strong starting XI Celtic struggled to make the breakthrough.  John Hartson eventually woke the crowd late on when he used his strength and a little nudge to engineer the vital opening goal.

 

CELTIC team:

Rab Douglas,   Bobo Balde,   Jackie McNamara,   Ross Wallace (Beattie 80),  Paul Lambert,  Neil Lennon,   Henrik Larsson,   Chris Sutton,  Didier Agathe (Pearson 80),   Shaun Maloney (Petrov 66), John Hartson

 

 

ROSS COUNTY team:

Graeme Smith,   John Rankin,   Jim Lauchlan,  Hugh Robertson,   Jamie McCunnie,  Sean Webb,  David Winters (Gethins 76),  Stephen O'Donnell (Higgins 82),  David Hannah,  Mark McCulloch  ,  Graham Bayne (Cowie 81)

Match 1493 - Saturday, 15th December 2012

Season:  2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                      

CELTIC    2    ST. MIRREN    0

Scorers:  Wanyama, Hooper

A straightforward victory for Celtic as St Mirren rarely attempted to leave their own half however it took them until the final 10 minutes to secure the victory with a second goal. 

Celtic team:

Forster,  Matthews,  Lustig,  Ambrose (Izaguirre),  Wilson,  Mulgrew,  Wanyama,  Brown,  Samaras (Lassad),  Kayal (McCourt),  Hooper

St Mirren team:
Samson,  van Zanten,  Dummett,  McAusland,  Goodwin,  Robertson (Guy),  McLean,  Teale,  Imrie,  Thompson (Parkin),  McGinn

Personal note:

Celtic v St Mirren  - match no. 58 dating back to 8th Auguest 1981

Celtic Park - 38:  St Mirren - 18;  Hampden Park - 2

SPL - 52; League Cup - 2;  Scottish Cup - 4

Celtic wins:  45;  Draws:   9;  St Mirren wins:  4

FLASH BACK - Match 448 - 7th April 1990

Season:  1989/90
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

                              

CELTIC     0    ST. MIRREN    3
Scorers: Torfason, Shaw, Lambert

A pitiful day in the history of Celtic.  Not so much for the score but for the team line up on the park.  Probably the worst Celtic team that I have ever witnessed.  With the exception of Wdowczyk a steady left back none were worthy of sharing a dressing room with Paul McStay and Pat Bonner.  Still even although football pundit Andy Walker, little more than a one season wonder, played in one of the worst Celtic teams in history he feels he is qualified to comment on far superior Celtic teams.  Maybe before he gives his expert opinion he should remember this match, this team.
The best memory of the match was the emergence of Paul Lambert who scored a terrific third goal for Saints.

Celtic team:
Bonner, Morris, Wdowczyk, Galloway, McCahill, Whyte, Grant, McStay, Walker, Coyne, Miller

Personal note: Next day I attended the FA Cup semi Final between Manchester United and Oldham at Maine Road.

FLASH BACK - Match 642 - 25th Aug 1993

Season: 1993/94
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP 3rd Round
Venue:  GAYFIELD PARK

ARBROATH    1    CELTIC    9 
Scorers: Tindall; McAvennie(3), Nicholas, McGnlay, McNally, Payton(3)

As Celtic are scheduled to play Arbroath on Wednesday in a Scottish Cup replay it gave me a chance to post my only visit to Gayfield Park which was 19 years ago when failing Celtic manager Liam Brady recorded the biggest win I have ever witnessed.  The only down side was it came against one of Celtic's all time greats Danny McGrain who was a rockie manager with the part-timers.
The match included two hat tricks, one Frank McAvennie and the other Andy Payton who had only came on as a substitiute!
Local man Kevin Tindall got the consolation goal for Arbroath with the last kick of the ball.

Celtic team:
Bonner,  Boyd,  Wdowczyk,  Grant,  McNally,  Galloway,  McGinlay,  McStay,  McAvennie,  Nicholas,  Collins; 
Subs used - Payton, O'Neill

MATCH 1492 - Saturday, 8th December 2012

Season: 2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  RUGBY PARK

                                      

KILMARNOCK    1    CELTIC    3

Scorers:  Sheridan; Brown, Ledley, Samaras

Fresh from their successful Champions League group campaign Celtic produced a solid performance to record a good away victory.  The third goal was a thing of beauty as it contained 20 passes before an inch prefect cross from Matthews was headed home by Samaras.

Kilmarnock

• 01 Bell 02 Tesselaar 04 Fowler 05 O'Leary 06 Nelson 07 Racchi (Sissoko - 56' ) 08 Kelly 11 Harkins (McKenzie - 68' ) 12 Sheridan 14 Heffernan 15 Perez (O'Hara - 68' )

Celtic

• 01 Forster 02 Matthews 03 Izaguirre (Kayal - 76' ) 04 Ambrose 06 Wilson 21 Mulgrew 08 Brown 16 Ledley 67 Wanyama 11 Nouioui (Samaras - 66' ) 88 Hooper (Miku - 82' )

Att:

• 6,501

Pre-match we enjoyed some refreshments in the Park Hotel situated outside the main stand.  A God send considering how miserable the weather was outside. Ideal for a snack and/or a few drinks before or after the match.

http://www.theparkhotelayrshire.co.uk/

Personal note:  63rd time seeing Kilmarnock (all against Celtic) and this was my 24th visit to Rugby Park.

FLASH BACK - Match 810 - Aug 1997

Season:  1996/97
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  RUGBY PARK

DI CANIO ROCKS RUGBY PARK TO IT'S CORE

           

KILMARNOCK    1    CELTIC    3
Scorers: ??; Di Canio, Thom, Cadete
Att: 15,900

With Celtic looking out of sorts Paulo Di Canio was introduced as a second half subsitute for his first appearance for the club and he made an immediate impact.  There had been great excitement following the Italian's summer move from AC Milan and in a very short period of time showed what all the fuss was about.  His quick feet and clever movement made him an instant hit with the Celtic support.
The Celtic fans like what they saw and the Chadwick Stand rocked as the 3,000 away fans went wild as they celebrated a great second half fight back and a new star.

Di Canio equalizer

Thom 1:2

Cadete 1:3

Match 1491 - Wednesday, 5th December 2012

Season:  2012/13

Group Match - Match Day 6

           

             

CELTIC    2    SPARTAK MOSCOW    1

Scorers:  Hooper, Commons(pen);  Ari

Celtic progressed from a difficult group after a very tense night at Celtic park against Russian side Spartak.  Celtic reached a remarkable total of 10 points from their six group matches.

On the night a mistake from the Spartak defence gifted Gary Hooper the chance to score the opener and he did not pass it up, striking the ball home from outside the box.  Late in the first half Spartak got their reward for some good attacking play when Ari chipped in an equaliser.

In the second half Celtic enjoyed more possession but their efforts where thwarted by the post and the Russian keeper before the ref, who from a Celtic's point of view had a great game, pointed to the spot with ten minutes to go after Samaras was slightly pushed in the box.  Commons took responsibility and fired his shot high off the under side of the crossbar and into the net to give Celtic the lead that they needed.  Benfica could only draw in the Nou Camp against an under strength Barcelona side which meant Celtic qualified for the knock-out stage of the Champions League for the third time in six years.

Aiden McGeady made a welcome return to Celtic Park.  As in the previous visit in 2007 Spartak were reduced to 10 men with five minutes remaining.

Celtic

• 01 Forster
• 03 Izaguirre
• 04 Ambrose
• 06 Wilson
• 21 Mulgrew
• 23 Lustig (Matthews - 71' )
• 08 Brown (Ledley - 84' )
• 15 Commons
• 33 Kayal (Nouioui - 73' )
• 09 Samaras
• 88 Hooper

Spartak Moscow

• 30 Pesiakov
• 02 Insaurralde
• 17 Suchy
• 06 Rafael Carioca
• 07 Kombarov
• 19 Jurado
• 21 Kallstrom
• 23 Kombarov
• 09 Ari (McGeady - 61')
• 10 Dzjuba
• 29 Emenike

 Personal note: 

Spartak Moscow become the 100th club that I have seen on more the one occasion.

FLASH BACK - Match 1245 - 29th Aug 2007

Season:  2007/08

Qualifying Round 2nd Leg

Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1 - 1    SPARTAK MOSCOW

Scorers:  McDonald;  Pavluchenko

Artur Boric was the hero as Celtic won a dramatic penalty shoot out to book their place in the Champions League proper.  Scott McDonald shot Celtic ahead only for Roman Pavluchenko to level. Pavluchenko had earlier missed a penalty which meant the match went to extra time as it mirrored the first leg score.
There have been many great European nights at Celtic Park since 2001 but few have matched this one for sheer excitment and energy.  It was end to end for 85 minutes then Spartak where reduced to 10 men then it was backs against the wall for the last  five minutes of normal time plus 30 minutes extra time before the grand finale of the penalty shoot.
A truely epic match for all in attendance.

Celtic:
Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (O'Dea 110), Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady (Riordan 104), McDonald (Zurawski 97), Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Goals: McDonald 27.  


Spartak Moscow:
Pletikosa, Soava, Stranzl, Kovac, Shishkin, Mozart, Torbinsky (Boyarintsev 100), Titov, Bystrov (Kalinichenko 95), Welliton (Dedura 88), Pavluchenko.
Sent Off: Stranzl (85).  
Goals: Pavluchenko 45.


Agg (2-2): Celtic win 4-3 on penalties 

Att: 60,000
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).

Match 1490 - Saturday, 1st December 2012

Season:  2012/13
SCOTTISH CUP 4th Round
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                   

CELTIC    1    ARBROATH    1

Scorers:  O.G.;  Doris

A dreadful result for a makeshift Celtic team which consisted of 4 youngsters.  They failed to score against their Second Division opponents as it was only a comical own goal that give them a half time lead.  The Arbroath keeper was not over worked but he did have a number of fantastic saves.

A deflected free kick late in the game earned the lower league opponents a replay. 

Celtic

• 24 Zaluska
• 02 Matthews
• 04 Ambrose
• 23 Lustig (Nouioui - 79' )
• 25 Rogne
• 43 Chalmers (Izaguirre - 54' )
• 08 Brown (Kayal - 64' )
• 40 Ibrahim
• 46 McGeouch
• 67 Wanyama
• 07 Miku

Arbroath

• 01 Morrison
• 02 Baxter
• 03 Hamilton
• 05 Malcolm
• 06 Keddie
• 08 Robertson
• 04 Kerr
• 07 Paul Currie (Rennie - 64' )
• 11 Sheerin (Birse - 75' )
• 09 Doris
• 10 Holmes (Gribben - 90' )

Att: 15,000

Flash Back - Match 35 - 1st September 1982

Season:  1982/83
Scottish League Cup - Sectional Match
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    4    ARBROATH    1

Scorers: MacLeod, McCluskey, Nicholas, Dobbin

Att: 5,200

Celtic v Arbroath is a rare fixture in the Scottish game.  Personally I have only see it on two occasions.  The first and only one at Celtic Park was 30 years ago in on the 1st September.  Celtic enjoyed a free scoring start to the season and this match was no different as they scored four in a very comfortable victory. 

Charlie Nicholas

The scorers on the night included Charlie Nicholas and from my records it was the first time I had saw Charlie score, mainly due to the fact he was just returning after a long lay off following a broken leg.  A young reserve player, Jim Dobbin made his debut and also managed to get on the score sheet. John Buckley was another debutant.

The match was played in front of a very low crowd at Celtic Park of 5,200 as the midweek sectional format of the League Cup proved a real turn off for supporters.

Celtic team: 
Bonner, McGrain, Reid, Aitken, McAdam, MacLeod, Provan, Buckley, Dobbin, Nicholas, Burns, McCluskey

Flash Back - Match 309 - 7th Nov 1987

Season:  1987/88
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  TYNECASTLE

HEARTS    1    CELTIC    1

Scorer:  Colquhoun;  McGhee 
Att: 29,000

Hearts - Celtic clashes especially at Tynecastle have always had an edge.  The new stands maybe more intimate however the old terraces packed alot more people in with the away end holding 10,000 alone and was regularly sold out.

Just look at the packed ends behind each goal in this intense encounter from 1987.  Both teams were riding high in the league and although Hearts held a lead against a 10 man Celtic team Roy Aitken inspired his team to draw with a lateish equaliser.  Through great determination (his trademark) and a fair level of skill he sent over an excellent cross for Mark McGhee to power home a header.  In the first half John Colquhoun had scored from a cracking shot from out side the box.  Mick McCarthy was the Celt that was shown the red card. 

This is proof that rivalry in football is a good thing.  

Match 1489 - Saturday 24th November 2012

Season 2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                        

CELTIC    0   INVERNESS CT    1

Scorer:  McKay

Celtic's poor SPL home form continues as they lose there 2nd home game of the season. Another game where we could have played all day and not scored.  Best chances fell to Coomons and Lustig just before the break and it didn't get any better for Celts in second half. 
Watched the match from the North Stand rather than my usual seat in the South Front so I could see the small band of Caley fans even if I couldn't hear them although I'm sure they enjoyed it.
My normal seat went to my three year old daughter who attended her first match at Celtic Park with her mum and apparently became the youngest ever hooligan went she turn round and punched a wee boy on the nose.  Was the game really that bad?

Celtic

• 01 Forster 02 Matthews (Brown - 69' ) 04 Ambrose 21 Mulgrew 23 Lustig 15 Commons 33 Kayal 67 Wanyama 09 Samaras 32 Watt (McCourt - 65' ) 88 Hooper (Nouioui - 76' )

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

• 12 Reguero 02 Raven 03 Shinnie 05 Warren 14 Meekings 04 Tudur-Jones 10 Shinnie 07 McKay (Sutherland - 84' ) 09 Foran 17 Doran 23 Roberts Booked (Pepper - 90' )

Att: 44,379

Personal note:  This was only the Highlanders 2nd win and first in the SPL in the 16 matches I've seen them, all against Celtic.

Celtic  12 wins
Draws:   2
Inverness:  2 wins

SPL  13
LC  2
SC  1

Celtic Park   14
Caledonian Stadium  2

FLASH BACK - Match 1131 - 13th November 2004

Season: 2004/05
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

                 

CELTIC    3    INVERNESS CT    0

Scorers: Sutton, Hartson(2)

Although Inverness CT inflicted the most infamous defeat of Celtic at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup in 2000 I was delighted when they gained promotion into the top league as it meant a flesh SPL opponent.

In front of a 56,500 crowd at Celtc Park ICT were no match on this occasion as the formidable pairing of Sutton and Hartson scored the goals that eventually seen Celtic run out comfortable winners.  Although they were helped by Inverness missing a penalty.

Teams:

CELTIC:  Hedman, McNamara, Balde, Varga, Valgaeren, McGeady, Lennon, Sutton, Thompson, Hartson, Camara

INVERNESS:  Brown,  Tokely,  Golabek,  Dods,  McBain,  Wilson, Bayne,  Hart,  Juanjo,  Duncan

Personal note:  This was the first time I had seen Inverness in the SPL but the 3rd time overall having seen in them in the Scottish and League Cups all at Celtic Park.

FLASH BACK - Match 656 - 3rd November 1993

Season:  1993/94  

UEFA Cup Second Round Second Leg 

Venue:  ESTADIO J. ALAVALADE

** SPORTING LISBON 2 - 0 CELTIC **

Scorers: Cadete(2)

On a very wet night in Lisbon (more like Glasgow weather) Celtic crashed out of Europe as Bobby Robson side comfortably over turned the one nil defeat of the first leg in Glasgow.  A goal in each half from Jorge Cadete made the aggregate score 2:1.  Celtic had there chances but failed to make any count when it mattered in what was Lou Macari's first match as Celtic manager.

I travelled over with Passport Travel who were based in Clydebank on a one day charter flight from Glasgow returning into Edinburgh in the early hours.  The highlight of the day was a stop off at Estádio Nacional near Lisbon were Celtic won the European Cup in 1967.  Sadly there where no heroics from this Celtic side.



FLASH BACK - Match 18 - 30th January 1982

Season: 1981/82
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Pittodrie Stadium

           

ABERDEEN    1    CELTIC    3

Scorers: ?; McCluskey, MacLeod, McStay

This weekend's Aberdeen-Celtic match brings back many memories of trips to Aberdeen.  Some good, some bad and some indifferent however my first visit to Pittodrie was one to remember.  A packed stadium was buzzing as 17 year old Paul McStay made his league debut following his first appearance in green and white hoops the previous weekend against Queen of the South in a Scottish Cup tie.

Aberdeen established a very early lead but George McCluskey cancelled this out during the first half.  In the second half a deflected  Murdo MacLeod shot flew past Jim Leighton before a debut goal from McStay. The new midfield maestro burst into the box and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

At this time Pittodrie Stadium was one of the few all seated grounds in Britain and the Celtic fans were housed in the Paddock Stand which faces the beach.

My first view of Pittodrie from the Paddock End

FLASH BACK - Match 1103 - 11th March 2004

Season:     2003/04
UEFA CUP Round of 16, 1st Leg
Venue:  CELTIC PARK

CELTIC    1    BARCELONA    0

Scorer:  Thompson

Last week was not the first time Celtic had defeated a star studded Barcelona side.  In 2004 Martin O'Neill's terrific side of 2003/04 beat nine men Barcelona on an eventful night in Glasgow.  After a farcas in the tunnel only 20 players emerged for the second half and soon afterwards another Barcelona star was heading for an early bath.  Which left 10 v 9 in Celtic's favour.  Celtic took full advantage when Alan Thompson connected with a neat Henril Larsson knock down to win the first leg tie fie.
Barcelona starting XI on the night included Puyol and the best player in the world at the time, Ronaldinho. 

Match 1488 - Sunday, 11th November 2012S

Season:  2012/13
SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: CELTIC PARK

                                 

CELTIC     1     ST JOHNSTONE     1 

 Scorers:   Watt;   Hasselbaink

For the 4th time since April these two sides clash at Celtic Park.  Like all SPL home matches this season Celtic are not at their best and after getting in front through half time substitute Watt, are unable to push on and get any more goals.  St Johnstone grow in confidence and after a spell of good pressure get the equaliser which secures an away point.

Football Focus ~ SPANISH ENCOUNTERS

Full list of matches involving Spanish sides:

1982   European Cup     Celtic  2  REAL SOCIEDAD  1  - Glasgow
1984   FIFA WCQ   Scotland  3   SPAIN  1   -   Glasgow
1994   Champions League Final   AC Milan   4  BARCELONA   0   -   Athens
1994   Champions League     Manchester United  2  BARCELONA  2  - Manchester
1996   Friendly       Celtic   0   BARCELONA   1   -   Glasgow
2001   UEFA Cup     Celtic    1   VALENCIA      0   -   Glasgow
2002   Champions League Final  REAL MADRID   2   Bayer Leverkusen   1  -   Glasgow
2002   UEFA Cup     Celtic    1   CELTA VIGO   0   -   Glasgow
2004   UEFA Cup   Celtic    1   BARCELONA   0   -   Glasgow
2004   UEFA Cup     Celtic    1   VILLARREAL   1  -   Glasgow
2004   Friendly        Celtic   1    SEVILLA     0   -   Glasgow 
2004    Champions League     Celtic   1    BARCELONA   3   -   Glasgow
2006   Champions League Final    BARCELONA   2   Arsenal   1   -   Paris
2007   UEFA Cup Final   SEVILLA  2  ESPANYOL  2 **Sevilla won on pens. ** Glasgow
2007   Friendly        Hearts   1   BARCELONA   3  -  Edinburgh
2008   Champions League      Celtic   2   BARCELONA   3   -  Glasgow
2008   Champions League      Celtic   2   VILLARREAL   0   -   Glasgow
2009   Wembly Cup    Tottenham   1   BARCELONA    1  -  London
2009   Wembley Cup  Al Ahly          1   BARCELONA    4  -  London
2011   UEFA Cup         Celtic   0   ATLETICO MADRID   1  -  Glasgow
2012   London Olympics  Japan   1   SPAIN   0   -   Glasgow
2012   Champions League    Celtic   2   BARCELONA   1   -   Glasgow

*** 22 MATCHES  ***

Team/Encounters:
BARCELONA              11
VILLARREAL               2
SEVILLA                        2
REAL SOCIEDAD        1
CELTA VIGO                1
VALENCIA                    1
REAL MADRID             1
ESPANYOL                    1
ATLETICO MADRID   1

NATIONAL SIDE          2

Match 1487 - Wednesday, 7th November 2012

Season: 2012/13

Group Stage - Match 4

Venue: CELTIC PARK

CELTIC     2     BARCELONA      1

Scorers: Wanyama,  Watt;   Messi

A magical night in Paradise as Celtic beat the might of Barcelona.

Victor Wanyama & Tony Watt were the scorers for Celtic but all in green and white played their part.  However special mention should go to Fraser Forster who had an outstanding match and was the main reason Celtic experienced the sweet taste of victory against the World's outstanding football team.

Celtic were celebrating their 125th anniversary and both teams entered the arena to a splendid display marking this special occasion. 

Barcelona dominated possession throughout the match however it was Celtic who took the lead midway during the first half.   Celtic won a corner on the right and when it was delivered to the back post the outstanding Victor Wanyama powered a wonderful header past Valdés.  Before half time Barcelona would hit the woodwork twice.  First from a flash shot from Messi which clipped the top of the crossbar.  Then Sánchez was unlucky to see his header hit the outside of the post.

In the second half a series of world class saves from Forster kept Celtic in front.  As the second half wore on and Barcelona failing to turn possession into goals they sent on "A class" reinforcements in the shape of Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas and David Villa to supplement the talents of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.  Incredibly though it was a Celtic substitute 18 year old Tony Watt from Coatbridge that scored the scored goal of the game to put Celtic two up and increase even further the noise level around Celtic Park.

Just as the fourth official held aloft the board showing 4 additional minutes Messi scored but thankfully it was no more than a consolation and Celtic enjoyed one of the finest nights in their 125 year history.