Many Celtic fans were probably waking up on Thursday morning wanting to believe if it really happened.
They were probably dreaming it too in their sleep: “Did we really beat Barcelona?”
Yes they most certainly did. Parkhead was rocking on Wednesday night as the SPL champions crushed the four-time European Cup winners 2-1.
It gives Neil Lennon’s side (players celebrating pictured) a great chance now to advance from Group G. They sit second, just two points behind Barca with a trip to Benfica next up.
A win in Lisbon would be enough to secure qualification.
Electric atmosphere
The atmosphere in Glasgow was electric and the team were driven by the crowd, who really played their part as a 12th man.
Manager Neil Lennon was a proud man after the game saying: “I can’t speak highly enough of their performances tonight and they will go down in the history books of the club as the team that beat probably the best team in the world.”
He also highlighted the gulfing class in spending power between the two sides.
He continued: “Tito Vilanova can bring on David Villa and Cesc Fabregas and I bring on an 18-year-old kid who cost £50,000 from Airdrie.”
After the agony of the late and cruel loss two weeks ago in the Nou Camp, Celtic actually started as the brighter side and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute.
Kenyan central defender Victor Wanyama headed Charlie Mulgrew’s corner in past Victor Valdes. It was truly the stuff of fairytales.
As expected, Barcelona had loads of possession but they always do against any club they come up against.
Lionel Messi was denied brilliantly on two separate occasions by Fraser Forster, who really is starting to show genuine quality as an English goalkeeper.
Watt makes an immediate impact
Goalkeeper Forster spoke to BBC Radio Five Live following his heroics.
He said: “We’ve got a fantastic squad and the full 14 who played really contributed. Everyone gave 100 per cent and we had fantastic belief after the first game.
“We learned a lot from that and showed what we really could do tonight (Wednesday).”
As the Catalans surged forward looking for the equaliser, they were caught on the counter attack with eight minutes left.
Teenager Tom Watt became the toast of Celtic Park when he pounced on a rare error from Xavi to give the home side the important cushion of a two-goal lead.
Messi did set up a grandstand finish with a late goal in injury time but Vilanova has now experienced defeat as a manager for the first time and this will have definitely been unexpected.
Celtic have enjoyed some cracking nights on home soil in Europe. The likes of Juventus, Manchester United and AC Milan have all been defeated in this competition in the last decade.
However this one will take some beating, as it was like a bolt out of the blue for a team that just a few weeks ago, were booed off after a dreadful SPL home defeat to Kilmarnock.
On this performance alone, I generally hope that we will be seeing Celtic in the Champions League after Christmas.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Comments
Post a Comment