Celtic host Barcelona next week, can they repeat a famous win?
International football can be a grind, but fear not, big fixtures are on the verge of returning as the Champions League resumes next week.
One of the big clashes is Celtic hosting Barcelona, aiming to record a famous victory as they did in 2012.
Forget September’s woeful 7-0 Nou Camp defeat. The 2-1 win at Parkhead is the match they need to draw inspiration from.
Celtic’s Victor Wanyama takes on Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta
Here is a look at what happened to the XI which started the game…
Fraser Forster
Star goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s reputation was hugely enhanced by his superb performance in this victory. This came in his first season as a permanent player at the club, after two previous spells on loan.
He was sold to Southampton in 2014 where he has impressed, and bounced back from a serious knee injury in the process.
Adam Matthews
Matthews left Celtic in 2015, saying he wanted to play at a higher standard of football for the sake of his international career.
Blackburn Rovers Ben Marshall and Bristol City’s Adam Matthews in action
He signed for Sunderland but his spell was disastrous, only ever playing one first team game for the Black Cats.
Matthews, 24, is currently on loan at Championship club Bristol City.
Efe Ambrose
It seems incredible now that Celtic managed to keep the score down against a Lionel Messi led Barcelona with Efe Ambrose in defence, but that is exactly what happened.
He remains a Celtic player, but has been moved to the back of the queue for first team places under Brendan Rodgers, and he has not played a league game this season.
Kelvin Wilson
Kelvin Wilson played a key role in shutting Barcelona down, but was sold 12 months later to Nottingham Forest for £2.5 million.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (R) in action with Celtic’s Kelvin Wilson
After an injury hit spell at the City Ground, Wilson was released in the summer, and he went on to sign with Championship side Rotherham United, under the management at the time of Alan Stubbs.
The 31-year-old has made nine appearances this season for the struggling side.
Charlie Mulgrew
Charlie Mulgrew remained a Celtic player until this summer, when he elected to leave the club on a free transfer.
He signed for Blackburn Rovers, where he has played five matches so far this season, providing one assist.
Mikael Lustig
After signing for Celtic months earlier, contributing to the win over Barcelona was a fantastic start to Lustig’s career.
Celtic’s Mikael Lustig celebrates at the end of the game
He remains a Celtic player and is under contract until 2018. He has made 21 appearances in all competitions already this season.
Kris Commons
Just like Lustig, Commons is one of the three members of the starting XI who is still a Celtic player.
He has played in nine games, and his long term future at the club is in doubt as his current contract expires next summer.
Joe Ledley
Ledley went on to make more than 100 appearances for Celtic after signing on a free transfer from Cardiff City.
Wales’ Joe Ledley (L) and Jonny Williams (R)
He was sold just over a year after the win over Barcelona, joining English Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Ledley, 29, has establised himself as a key figure for Wales at international level, and starred at Euro 2016.
Victor Wanyama
Already a promising player, Victor Wanyama’s performance against a peaking Barcelona midfield confirmed his star quality.
Juventus’ Mario Lemina in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
It was not long before he clinched a big move to Southampton, with even bigger clubs also reported to have been interested.
After signing for Tottenham Hotspur this summer, Wanyama is back in the Champions League, and building a reputation s one of the best defensive midfielders in England.
Miku
One half of a not so great strike partnership, this was one of just 14 appearances Miku made for Celtic.
The Venezuelan striker was on loan from Spanish club Getafe, and Celtic did not choose to sign him permanently.
He went on to sign with Qatari club Al-Gharafa, before he switched to Spanish club Rayo Vallecano in 2015.
Currently playing in Spain’s second division, the 31-year-old has scored once in four appearances this season.
Georgios Samaras
Greek international Samaras went on to score 71 goals in 245 games for Celtic, but was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer in 2014.
Carlos Bocanegra – Rangers in action against Georgios Samaras – Celtic (R)
The forward signed for West Bromwich Albion, a spell which did not pan out well, as he was shipped off to Al-Hilal.
Samaras currently plays for American side Rayo OKC, who compete in America’s second tier.
And the game winning substitute… Tony Watt
The hero of the Barcelona win Tony Watt did not even start the game, coming off the bench for Mikael Lustig with just under 20 minutes to go.
His goal will live long in the memory, and his career too has been living off it for a while since.
He was unable to establish himself at Celtic and has had a nomadic career since.
Watt has had spells in Belgium with Lierse and Standard Liege, and is under contract to Charlton Athletic.
While at the Addicks he has been out on loan at Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, and currently Hearts.
Still just 22-years-old, there is still time for Watt to fulfil his potential, but the night against Barcelona might have been as good as it will ever get.
Tony Watt celebrates scoring for Celtic in the famous win over Barcelona
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