Ahead of a crucial tie against Borussia Monchengladbach, we look back at three of Celtic’s best Champions League results of recent times – featuring classics against Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic go into this evening’s Champions League tie with Borussia Monchengladbach bottom of Group C, after a 2-0 loss to the German side at Celtic Park in their previous European game.
Victory at Borussia Park would see Celtic climb above their opponents and into a Europa League qualifying position, level on points with Manchester City – if the English side lose their home match with Barcelona.
Considering that Celtic have an awful away record in the Champions League – 23 defeats in 25 away games – they will need to be at their very best to secure three vital points.
In the build up to tonight’s encounter, we reminisce over three games where the Bhoys produced their best Champions League performances of recent times.
Celtic 2 – 1 Barcelona (November 2012)
Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Ambrose, Wilson, Mulgrew, Lustig (Watt – 72′), Commons, Ledley, Wanyama, Miku, Samaras (Kayal – 79′).
Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Bartra (Pique – 71′), Alba, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Mascherano, Song (Fabregas – 71′), Sanchez (Villa – 67′), Pedro.
This memorable win over a Barcelona side including superstars such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Alexis Sanchez, Andres Iniesta and David Villa will live long in the memory of many Celtic fans.
Not only did the victory elevate Neil Lennon’s Celtic into second place in their Champions League group – above Benfica and Spartak Moscow – but it was Barcelona’s first defeat of the 2012-13 season.
Victor Wanyama scored the game’s opener with an excellent headed goal after 21 minutes, and in the second half an 18-year-old Tony Watt scored after coming off the bench to make the score 2-0.
Lionel Messi converted a consolation goal for Barcelona, who were constantly thwarted by an outstanding display by Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Celtic 1 – 0 Manchester United (November 2006)
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Miller 85), Gravesen, Lennon, Sno (Jarosik 46), Vennegoor of Hesselink, Zurawski (Maloney 46).
Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze (Evra 87), Ronaldo, Carrick (O’Shea 87), Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Rooney.
Shunsuke Nakamura’s decisive goal from a fantastic 30-yard free-kick was enough to give Celtic the victory against Manchester United in the 2006-07 Champions League campaign – a triumph that ensured Celtic’s progress into the knock-out stages.
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was in inspired form and capped an impressive display by saving a last-minute penalty from United forward Louis Saha – ensuring that the three points remained north of the border.
In the spring of 2007 Gordon Strachan’s Celtic would welcome Italian giants AC Milan to Celtic Park in the knock-out stages – securing a 0-0 draw – before being knocked-out of the competition following a 1-0 defeat in extra-time of the second leg. Milan, meanwhile, would progress to win the 2007 final against Liverpool.
However, Celtic would not have to wait too long for a chance to rectify their 2006-07 Champions League elimination.
Celtic 2 – 1 AC Milan (October 2007)
Celtic: Boruc, P-Doumbe (Kennedy 79), Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, McGeady (Nakamura 85), Hartley, Donati, Jarosik (Killen 84), Brown, McDonald.
AC Milan: Dida (Kalac 90), Oddo, Nesta, Bonera, Jankulovski, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf (Gourcuff 55), Kaka, Inzaghi (Gilardino 76).
Seven months after their extra-time loss to AC Milan in the 2006-07 season, Celtic were drawn in the same group as the I Rossoneri for the 2007-08 Champions League. The atmosphere at Celtic Park for the October 2007 clash was certainly one to remember for Celtic fans, as torrential rain added to the occasion.
Defender Stephen McManus put the Bhoys ahead following a corner, before Milan forward Kaka equalised from the penalty spot. The game’s most memorable moment came in the 90th minute – when a Gary Caldwell effort was parried by Milan’s Brazilian goalkeeper Dida and converted by Scott McDonald, to send the Celtic Park crowd into jubilation.
During the celebrations, a Celtic fan ran past Dida and touched the shoulder of the 6 foot 5 inch goalkeeper who, after a few seconds, collapsed to the floor and needed to be stretchered off with injury. Dida was suspended by UEFA for feigning injury.
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