Five of Celtic’s best Champions League wins | OneFootball

Celtic welcome Bayern Munich to Glasgow this evening in a huge Champions League clash.

The Scottish champions are into the knockout rounds for the first time in over a decade and aiming to take a scalp tonight. Brendan Rodgers’ side will be full of confidence and remain unbeaten at Celtic Park in Europe this season, though the German giants pose a formidable test.

A win tonight would rank among Celtic’s best of the Champions League era. Ahead of the clash, we’ve remembered five of Celtic’s finest Champions League wins.

Five of Celtic’s best Champions League wins

Celtic 4-3 Juventus (2001)

Celtic bowed out of the Champions League at the group stage in 2001/02 but did so in style. Chris Sutton scored twice as Celtic beat Juventus 4-3 in a thriller at Parkhead.

Goals from Joos Valgaeren and Sutton saw Celtic respond to Alessandro Del Piero’s free-kick opener to lead at half-time, before David Trezeguet equalised for the Italians on 51 minutes.

Henrik Larsson fired Celtic back in front from the penalty spot six minutes later, after Mark Iuliano was penalised for manhandling Sutton at a set piece.

Sutton’s spectacular second doubled Celtic’s cushion on the night but Trezeguet added another for Juve to set up a nervy finish.

Celtic held on for the points and, while not enough for progress, earned Martin O’Neil’s men a place in the UEFA Cup.

Celtic 1-0 Manchester United (2006)

Celtic Park is raucous on any European evening but a Battle of Britain with Premier League opposition raises the decibels even louder.

Manchester United’s visit during the 2006/07 season delivered a special occasion for the Celtic faithful. A tense encounter saw Celtic edge a 1-0 win to book a place in the knockout rounds for the first time.

The match-winner was a magical moment, as Shunsuke Nakamura curled a fabulous free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards. Artur Boruc was another hero for the Scottish side late on, as the Polish goalkeeper saved Louis Saha’s 90th-minute spot-kick to see Celtic into the next round.

Celtic 2-1 AC Milan (2007)

A last-gasp winner from Scott McDonald saw Celtic claim an upset of the Champions League holders in 2007.

AC Milan had beaten Liverpool in the previous year’s final to be crowned European champions for a seventh time. The Rossoneri arrived in Glasgow with a star-studded side, with Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Kaka and Filippo Inzaghi all in the XI.

On a rain-soaked evening, Milan succumbed in Scotland. Stephen McManus bundled in an opener for Celtic from a set piece, but Kaka – who claimed the 2007 Ballon d’Or – levelled from the penalty spot six minutes later.

A stop-start contest looked set to end level until Celtic snatched the points. And the home side were rewarded with a dramatic late winner. Gary Caldwell’s hopeful shot was spilt by Dida, with McDonald reacting quickest to slam in a famous winner.

Spartak Moscow 2-3 Celtic (2012)

Celtic’s greatest European nights have often come on home soil, with memorable away wins in short supply. A battling performance in Moscow remains one of their best, however, as the Scottish side downed Spartak Moscow in a thriller.

A see-sawing game saw Gary Hooper fire Celtic in front, but Emmanuel Emenike’s double either side of half-time turned the game around in Russia. The momentum swung in Celtic’s favour when Juan Insaurralde was sent off for a professional foul on Hooper and the visitors levelled through Dmitri Kombarov’s own goal.

Then, in the 90th minute, Celtic won it. Georgios Samaras met Emilio Izaguirre’s cross to head home and earn Celtic their first-ever away win in the Champions League’s group stage.

Celtic 2-1 Barcelona (2012)

Arguably Celtic’s greatest night of the Champions League era.

The Scottish champions stunned Barcelona on a special night at Celtic Park. Barcelona had twice been champions of Europe in the past four seasons and arrived in Glasgow unbeaten in the 2012/13 campaign. That undefeated run was ended, as goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt secured Celtic a shock success.

Wanyama headed Celtic in front on 21 minutes and the home side retreated into deep defensive lines. Barcelona controlled proceedings with Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi monopolising the ball, restricting Celtic to just 16% possession.

But Celtic were clinical when the chances arrived. Watt came off the bench to double Celtic’s lead late on and Neil Lennon’s side held on despite Messi’s late response. Barcelona, who had been almost flawless in recent seasons, came unstuck on a euphoric night for Celtic.

Read – Noughties Nines: Henrik Larsson – Celtic’s King of Kings

See more – Four things to look out for in tonight’s Champions League action

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