2012-10-23: Barcelona 2-1 Celtic, European Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• European Cup Champions League 2012-13; Round 3
• Celtic lose in heart-breaking fashion in the last gasp 93.5min mark of the 90+4 min match.
• Celtic are second in group on four points.
• Celtic faced Barcelona semi finalists in past season European Cup, with some of the best players in the world, in particular the majestic Messi.
• Celtic at 45-1 against to beat Barcelona, a record high odds against a UK side to win away in the European Cup.
• Spartak Moscow played earlier in day v Benfica winning two one.
• Iniesta prior to game calls Samaras a special player.
• Ambrose forgot his passport! Had to rush back from airport to get it! Thankfully he did as he put in a great performance.
• Celtic have never won a competitive match (in the major European Honours) on Spanish soil.
• This is the 1st game in 2012/13, in which Messi hasn't scored or assisted any goal for Barca. In previous 12 games: 15 goals 7 assists.
• Next round match is against Barcelona at home, in meantime Killie at home in league on Sat, St Johnstone in Lge Cup next Tuesday.
• Apparently, TV Ceefax was ended today. Older readers will have long memories of the Ceefax services used to keep us all uptodate with scores & news, as well as even watching matches on the system!
• Celtic's visit to Barcelona co-incides with the anniversary of the murder of Catalan President Lluís Companys by fascists in 1940.
• Celtic players Fraser #Forster and Efe #Ambrose make UEFA's team of the week.

Quotes

• Andres Iniesta: "I have played in a lot of games for Barcelona and Spain and I have never heard fans like Celtic – they were amazing."
• Phil Kitromilides (journalist): "I've watched every Barcelona game this season. That was the best performance by an away side at the Camp Nou so far…"
• Efe Ambrose said in consolation: 'At least I kept my word, Messi didn't score.'
• "I don’t know what they [the Celtic players] eat but they are very powerful in the air, in defence as well as attack.They really closed ranks at the back and didn’t give us any space but we still managed to create a lot of chances.” Jordi Alba, who scored a last gasp winner for Barcelona against Celtic, pays tribute to the fortitude of the opposition.
• Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster: “There shouldn’t be teams like [Celtic] in the Champions League." What a bawbag… Don't take what he said too far, Schuster is a renowned idiot and rent-a-gob, he was chased out of Turkey for being too recklessly attacking with Besiktas last year.

Review

(from Hellas67 of KDS)
Anyone who says anything other than give credit to this very very young side for the way they played tonight should have a long hard look at themselves in the mirror, that was an immense performance from a very inexperienced team.

This Barca team has been at the top level of the game for the past five seasons or so and has had everyone creaming in their pants and as someone mentioned earlier in this forum for the first 30 mins of the second half we matched them albeit being the more defensive of the two but when we broke we had them shamppoing themselves on more than one occassion, and at times only luck deserted us when the final ball was played i remeber a couple of occassions especially around the 55-60 min mark when they managed at stretch to get the slighest of touches on the ball to stop us breaking away.

every single player should be proud of themsleves, and I am just hoping that we have learnt that if we try and be a wee bit more offensive at parkhead we could maybe surprise them once more, of course this game was going to be more defence than attack, but our bhoys proved tonight that they have the balls to take on THE best team in the world, show them respect yes but fear no way and say to them yes have the ball and lets see what you can do with it……no heads down here, gutted at the final result yes, did we deserve more, hell yes, hopefully we will show a wee bit more in attack at paradise and who knows maybe we will get that little bit of luck that wee deserve.

Forster was immense, as was ambrose and everyone else.

Considering we were playing the best team in the world and we conceded 10 fouls to their 9 to me also says that this team has grown in discipline too, and lets remember that it was only Barcelona who hacked down our players on the breakaway to merit their yellow cards and not ours.

Neil Lennon and your young celtic side I salute you all as this was one of my proudest moments watching Celtic in europe even though ultimately it ended in defeat.

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Stats

Barcelona v Celtic

Possession
28% 72%
90mins

Shots
26 4

On target
16 2

Corners
15 1

Fouls
9 10

Articles

FC Barcelona vs Celtic Glasgow

Barcelona 2

Iniesta 45,
Alba 90+4

Celtic 1

Samaras 18

Ewan Murray at Camp Nou
The Guardian, Tuesday 23 October 2012 22.24 BST

Jordi Alba, centre, scores at the far post in injury time to give Barcelona victory over Celtic. Photograph: Albert Olive/EPA

Barcelona claimed their 100th Champions League win courtesy of a stoppage-time winner against a Celtic team who emerged with tremendous credit if no reward.

The Scottish side stunned Camp Nou by taking the lead, the seventh time already this season that Barcelona have lost the first goal in a match. Later, Celtic were to suffer the cruelty of defeat when only seconds remained.

The La Liga club recovered from their early setback as Jordi Alba stole in at the back post to secure victory. Barcelona merited that on the balance of play, but they should still afford Celtic quiet respect. "It is a sore one to take, I thought the team was magnificent," said the Parkhead manager, Neil Lennon.

"It is bittersweet; it's hard to take losing in the manner we did but I am so proud of the players. I think we have given the club and the country a huge shot in the arm. We can take a lot from the game. I think we have won a lot more admirers. I am very proud of them tonight, even though I don't like losing.

"I said to the players before the game there probably wasn't a person outside of the dressing room who thought we could get anything, aside from us [the coaching staff] because we know them so well. They are talented young players and people are starting to sit up and take notice of them now, which is fantastic for us. The most important thing is the reputation of the club and we will leave here with that firmly intact."

Entering last night's match, Barcelona had won 14 and lost none of their previous 17 home games in the competition. They also remain unbeaten in La Liga this season, but the concession of 10 goals in their last six outings apparently constitutes cause for local concern.

There should have been little surprise attached to the fact Celtic spent the opening exchanges toiling to get out of their own half. Alexis Sánchez, preferred in the home attack to David Villa, should have opened the scoring within two minutes but he screwed the ball wide from a Lionel Messi pass.

Marc Bartra was the next to threaten, with a header which Fraser Forster sharply batted away. From the subsequent break, however, Celtic created ripples across the European football scene by opening the scoring.

A foul on Scott Brown during the visitors' counterattack allowed Charlie Mulgrew to curl a menacing free-kick into the Barcelona penalty area. Georgios Samaras was afforded sufficient space to angle a header goalwards; the ball also took a crucial deflection off the shoulder of Javier Mascherano. Víctor Valdés therefore found his first touch of the ball was to remove it from his net.

Celtic suffered a double blow in the first half's dying moments. The influential Samaras limped off with a twisted ankle, moments before Andrés Iniesta played a wonderful one-two with Xavi Hernández and supplied a low finish. Suddenly the tenacity shown by Celtic when not in possession had been clinically undone.

Barcelona's vulnerability at cross balls was highlighted again eight minutes after the restart. From a Mulgrew corner, Efe Ambrose headed wide with the Celtic defender's team-mate, Victor Wanyama, better positioned.

Messi was denied by a fine save from Forster as Celtic endured a spell on the ropes. The goalkeeper, part of the England party for recent matches against San Marino and Poland, further endorsed that status with a one-handed stop from a Messi header.

Just as Lennon's men looked like holding firm – Villa had struck a post – Alba intervened. Adriano's cross eluded the entire Celtic defence, allowing his fellow full-back to score from all of two yards.

"The top teams go right to the end," Lennon added. "We have done that ourselves a lot in Scotland. The longer the game went on, the longer Barcelona pressed us into our half. We weathered more or less everything – it was just one last attack where things didn't go for us.

"You have to look at our three games, the team has performed very well in all of those games so far. We always felt it was a three-way fight for second place."

Last-gasp Barcelona break Celtic hearts

Published: Tuesday 23 October 2012, 23.00CET
FC Barcelona 2-1 Celtic FC
Jordi Alba's goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time denied Celtic a point and kept the Catalan club faultless at the top of Group G.
by Graham Hunter, UEFA.com
from Camp Nou

Celtic FC were on the verge of registering their third draw at the Camp Nou in eight years until Jordi Alba stunned them with a 94th-minute winner from close range to confirm FC Barcelona's Group G leadership.

A first-half own goal from Javier Mascherano rewarded Neil Lennon's team for playing with calm intelligence and although Andrés Iniesta equalised on the stroke of half-time and David Villa hit the post in second-half added time, goalkeeper Fraser Forster appeared to have earned Celtic a valuable point. That was until Adriano arced in a perfect right-wing cross and Alba applied the finish.

However, what would have concerned Blaugrana coach Tito Vilanova is that Barcelona helped make their night more difficult by ignoring the cardinal rule of taking chances when they arrive. Long before Celtic took the lead the home side should have done so. Iniesta's visionary pass split the green-and-white defence and although Alexis Sánchez reached the ball before Forster he somehow skewed the ball past both keeper and far post.

For Barça to threaten properly it took the arrival of Marc Bartra, chosen at centre-back for only his third UEFA Champions League match, in the box to connect with an Iniesta centre and force a save from Forster. The value of that stop was doubled when the Scottish champions went in front not long afterwards.

Charlie Mulgrew's free-kick was nodded on by Giorgios Samaras but the ball diverted past Víctor Valdés off Javier Mascherano. Cue wild celebrations up in the highest part of the stadium where around 5,000 visiting fans roared their delight.

Barcelona reacted. Lionel Messi buzzed two free-kicks into the netting above Forster's crossbar, and another Iniesta service gave Bartra a second header which he fluffed. Fortune didn't favour Celtic in that Samaras, author of much of the danger for the hosts, twisted his ankle just before the break and had to be replaced by James Forrest.

And within moments Barça were level. Messi slipped a pass into Iniesta and when the midfielder played a wall pass with Xavi he was able to reach the return and stab home a sweetly constructed goal.

To Celtic's great credit their second-half display did not waver one centimetre from the game plan. Low strikes from Messi and Iniesta as the match wore on did not particularly test Forster's reactions, though before the final whistle he needed to excel to repel the 2011 champions.

His first golden moment came on 68 minutes when Alexis and Pedro Rodríguez combined to feed Messi with an opportunity that he volleyed from close range and the Englishman reacted brilliantly to parry. Five minutes later Messi had a point-blank header from which he looked destined to score but the keeper somehow bettered him.

Sadly for Forster and his team-mates, Alba stole in for the final word just when it seemed their hard work had borne fruit.
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BBC

By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at the Nou Camp
Comments (133)

Celtic produced a performance full of heart and tactical discipline but lost out to an injury-time Jordi Alba goal.

The visitors led after the presence of Georgios Samaras helped force Javier Mascherano to divert a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick into his own net.

Barcelona were not at their best, but produced a moment of sheer class to allow Andres Iniesta to equalise.

Celtic stood firm in the face of relentless pressure until the dying seconds when Alba stole in to score.

It was incredibly cruel on Celtic, who were outstanding to a man.

They remain second in Champions League Group G but now trail Barcelona, who maintain their 100% record, by five points. Spartak Moscow, who beat Benfica earlier in the day, are a point behind Neil Lennon's side with the Portuguese side bottom with a single point.

It had looked ominous for the visitors as early as the second minute when Barcelona sliced through their defence for the first time, Iniesta providing the killer ball, only for Alexis Sanchez to dink the ball wide of Fraser Forster's right-hand post.

That apart though, Celtic began the match comfortably, coping well with the constant passing and movement of the Catalan side.

Forster's first major test came 17 minutes in, and he dealt with it brilliantly.

Lionel Messi floated the ball over the Celtic defence, Iniesta turned it across goal where Marc Bartra flashed a header on target, only for the giant Celtic keeper to push it away.
Georgios Samaras and Mikael Lustig

Celtic's opener silenced the home crowd

And moments later, Celtic shocked the hosts by moving in front.

A Mulgrew free-kick from the right was attacked by Samaras, but it was Mascherano who inadvertently knocked the ball past a static Victor Valdes.

Barca had dominated possession, but Celtic's organisation was superb and there was almost half an hour gone before the home side fashioned another decent chance.

Again Iniesta was the source, but his chip was headed wide by Bartra.

Then, as the Barcelona pressure grew in intensity, Kelvin Wilson threw himself in the way of a Xavi drive to divert it over the bar and Adriano Correia tested Forster at his near post from the resulting corner.

Messi, by his own high standards, was having a quiet game but worried Forster with a couple of free-kicks that curled inches off target.

Celtic were dealt an enormous blow just before the break as Samaras was forced off, having rolled his ankle as he was fouled contesting a high ball.

And his replacement James Forrest had not touched the ball before Barca drew level in exquisite fashion.

Messi found Iniesta just inside the box and a lightning-quick one-two with Xavi allowed Iniesta to direct the ball just out of Forster's reach and inside his left-hand post.

The timing of the equaliser was tough on Celtic, who had executed their manager's tactical instructions almost to perfection.

They nearly moved back in front seven minutes after the interval.
Play media

Again, the opportunity arose from a Mulgrew set-piece – this time a corner from the right – but Victor Wanyama failed to test Valdes from an excellent position.

Celtic lost the tenacity of Scott Brown with just over an hour gone, his long-term hip problem seemingly taking its toll once more.

Soon after, Forster held efforts from both Messi and then Iniesta from outside the box as Barcelona upped the ante yet further.

Midway through the second half, Alexis Sanchez fed Pedro Rodriguez on the right of the Celtic box and when his low cross found Messi on the six-yard box, a second Barca goal seemed inevitable, but Forster stuck out a hand and somehow denied the Argentine.

The Celtic keeper was performing heroically and he was swiftly off his line to deny Alexis before an unbelievable flying save kept Messi's diving header from finding the back of the net.

Celtic were becoming more and more hemmed in, but a wayward Xavi effort told the story of Barcelona's increasing frustration as time ticked away.

Barca substitute David Villa struck a post late on as it appeared Celtic would hold on, but in the fourth minute of injury time, Alba sneaked in at the back post to knock Adriano's cross past the helpless Forster from just a yard out.

Despite the bitter pang of disappointment, Celtic can be hugely proud of their side's display ahead of the return fixture against Tito Vilanova's side in Glasgow on 7 November.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +5:11 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +3:21

Assist by Claro Adriano.
90:00 +3:21 Goal scored

Goal – Ramos Jordi Alba – Barcelona 2 – 1 Celtic Ramos Jordi Alba grabs a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Barcelona 2-1 Celtic.
90:00 +3:19

The ball is swung over by Claro Adriano,
90:00 +2:51

The ball is sent over by Ramos Jordi Alba.
90:00 +1:46 Booking

Booking James Forrest receives a caution.
89:56

David Villa produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and hits the post.
88:44

The ball is delivered by Ramos Jordi Alba, clearance by Kelvin Wilson. Inswinging corner taken by Hernandez Xavi, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
87:40

Cristian Tello takes a shot. Efe Ambrose gets a block in. Claro Adriano takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.
85:43

Effort from long distance by Hernandez Xavi goes wide right of the goal.
84:01

Cristian Tello produces a cross, clearance made by Kelvin Wilson.
82:08

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Lionel Messi from the left by-line to the near post, Mikael Lustig manages to make a clearance.
81:24

Cristian Tello produces a cross, clearance by Efe Ambrose.
81:09

Corner taken by Lionel Messi.
78:55

Joe Ledley takes the direct free kick.
78:55 Substitution

Substitution David Villa joins the action as a substitute, replacing Alexis Sanchez.
78:55 Booking

Booking Claro Adriano is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
78:54

Joe Ledley fouled by Claro Adriano, the ref awards a free kick.
77:57

The ball is swung over by Cristian Tello, Emilio Izaguirre gets a block in.
75:16 Substitution

Substitution Beram Kayal joins the action as a substitute, replacing Charlie Mulgrew.
75:16 Substitution

Substitution Cristian Tello joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rodriguez Pedro.
74:47

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Hernandez Xavi, Kelvin Wilson makes a clearance.
74:18

Lionel Messi takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a brilliant save.
72:58

Ramos Jordi Alba takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
71:35

Unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig by Ramos Jordi Alba results in a free kick. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
71:22

Lionel Messi delivers the ball, clearance by Kelvin Wilson.
70:18

Direct free kick taken by Victor Wanyama.
70:18 Booking

Booking Booking for Javier Mascherano for unsporting behaviour.
70:13

Free kick awarded for a foul by Javier Mascherano on Kris Commons.
69:45

Drilled right-footed shot by Hernandez Xavi. Blocked by Joe Ledley.
69:01

Kris Commons is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Javier Mascherano.
67:31

Centre by Rodriguez Pedro, Lionel Messi takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a fantastic save.
65:55

Andres Iniesta takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
64:56

Shot by Lionel Messi. Save by Fraser Forster.
64:11

Shot from 18 yards from Lionel Messi. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson. Hernandez Xavi decides to take a short corner.
62:58

The ball is sent over by Mikael Lustig, Victor Valdes makes a save.
62:42

Kris Commons delivers the ball, Claro Adriano makes a clearance.
62:19

Short corner worked by Lionel Messi.
62:19 Substitution

Substitution Kris Commons is brought on as a substitute for Scott Brown.
61:32

Lionel Messi produces a cross, Efe Ambrose gets a block in.
59:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Javier Mascherano by Gary Hooper. Javier Mascherano takes the direct free kick.
58:04

Short corner taken by Ramos Jordi Alba from the left by-line.
56:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rodriguez Pedro by Joe Ledley. Free kick taken by Marc Bartra.
56:25

Centre by James Forrest.
55:44

Short corner taken by Hernandez Xavi from the right by-line. Claro Adriano takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
55:22

The ball is sent over by Rodriguez Pedro, Efe Ambrose manages to make a clearance.
55:02

Centre by Lionel Messi.
52:05

Mikael Lustig crosses the ball, Ramos Jordi Alba gets a block in. Corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, Header by Efe Ambrose from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
51:11

Lionel Messi takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.
48:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alexis Sanchez on James Forrest. Charlie Mulgrew produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick. Scott Brown produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
47:53

The ball is delivered by Alexis Sanchez, Efe Ambrose gets a block in.
46:05

Alexis Sanchez gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
45:01

The match restarts for the second half.
45:00 +2:08 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.
45:00 +1:23

Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Lionel Messi goes wide of the right-hand upright.
44:38

The assist for the goal came from Hernandez Xavi.
44:38 Goal scored

Goal – Andres Iniesta – Barcelona 1 – 1 Celtic Andres Iniesta gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Barcelona 1-1 Celtic.
42:53

Direct free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
42:53 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras leaves the field to be replaced by James Forrest.
42:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alex Song on Gary Hooper.
40:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Claro Adriano. Free kick crossed left-footed by Emilio Izaguirre from left wing.
39:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andres Iniesta on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
36:51

Efe Ambrose gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
35:52

Foul by Gary Hooper on Javier Mascherano, free kick awarded. Javier Mascherano restarts play with the free kick.
35:11

Alexis Sanchez crosses the ball, Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Hernandez Xavi goes wide of the right-hand upright.
32:55

Victor Wanyama gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alexis Sanchez. Alexis Sanchez takes the free kick.
31:56

Hernandez Xavi takes a shot. Blocked by Efe Ambrose. Short corner worked by Hernandez Xavi. Shot from 20 yards from Alexis Sanchez. Save by Fraser Forster.
17:27

Unfair challenge on Scott Brown by Alexis Sanchez results in a free kick. The ball is delivered by Charlie Mulgrew,
28:05

The ball is crossed by Claro Adriano. Alexis Sanchez decides to take a short corner, A cross is delivered by Andres Iniesta. Close range header by Marc Bartra misses to the right of the target.
26:00

Georgios Samaras concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Alex Song takes the free kick.
25:28

Ramos Jordi Alba is caught offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
24:57

Alexis Sanchez takes a shot. Efe Ambrose gets a block in.
23:48

Corner taken short by Hernandez Xavi.
21:00

Lionel Messi fouled by Scott Brown, the ref awards a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Lionel Messi from the free kick.
20:10

Rodriguez Pedro delivers the ball.
17:37

The assist for the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.
17:37 Goal scored

Goal – Georgios Samaras – Barcelona 0 – 1 Celtic Georgios Samaras finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Barcelona 0-1 Celtic.
17:27

Free kick awarded for a foul by Alexis Sanchez on Scott Brown.
15:53

Rodriguez Pedro takes a shot. Blocked by Charlie Mulgrew. Floated corner taken by Hernandez Xavi from the left by-line. The ball is swung over by Andres Iniesta, Rodriguez Pedro takes a shot. Fraser Forster makes a save.
14:19

Alexis Sanchez decides to take a short corner.
13:09

Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Andres Iniesta. Andres Iniesta takes the free kick.
9:08

Hernandez Xavi decides to take the corner short.
8:49

The ball is sent over by Ramos Jordi Alba.
7:11

Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Alex Song. Alex Song restarts play with the free kick.
5:37

Hernandez Xavi decides to take the corner short.
2:59

Scott Brown gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alexis Sanchez. Hernandez Xavi takes the direct free kick.
1:36

Alexis Sanchez has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.
0:00

The referee starts the match.

‘Brave’ doesn’t do justice to Celtic display

Eurosport
One word was repeated time and again in the gut-wrenching minutes following Celtic's desperately cruel last-minute defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou: brave.

What a brave display of bravery that couldn't have been braver had brave John Terry been fighting a bear. In fact, it was a minor miracle that Sky's closing credits didn't mock up Scott Brown as Mel Gibson in Braveheart, blue paint slapped on his face and shaking his bum at his enemies before Jordi Alba supplied the metaphorical arrow to the arse.

Until that late, late goal it had been a fantastic performance from Celtic on a night when Scottish football looked set to record one of its greatest European results of the past decade. Resolute? Hugely. Determined? Absolutely. Heroic? Arguably. Fortunate? Probably. But brave? Well, not exactly.

Bravery against Barcelona is to go out all guns blazing and try and take them on at their own game. Suicidal, yes, but undoubtedly brave in a 'Charge of the Light Brigade', inviting a massacre kind of way.

What Celtic did was actually entirely sensible. Getting men behind the ball in an attempt to deny Barcelona space and then snatching a goal from a set-piece is basically the only way to try and combat those tremendously cultured Catalans. Most times it doesn't work, but every so often a team will get lucky. This doesn't require a particular brand of bravery – it is deeply pragmatic.
But still the process of patronising Celtic begun even before their broken set of players trudged off the pitch at Camp Nou, their heads clutched in their hands after Alba's goal with 30 seconds remaining saw them defeated.

The words 'brave' and 'plucky' – the latter of which, like 'bust-up' or 'showdown talks', only ever seems to apply to football – were thrown around with abandon, fitting as they did the pre-prescribed narrative when a weaker team tackles one of the best. We even had extensive debate about whether Celtic players – professional players mind – would be more concerned about arranging shirt swaps than doing their job.

But to reduce their performance to a concept as flimsy as mere bravery did Celtic a disservice, suggesting that their ability to almost hold Barcelona to a draw was merely a near triumph of the will, of good old British passion.

It was that, but it was also a near triumph of tactical discipline, of positional awareness and of technical excellence in and around their own penalty area.

The expert timing of Efe Ambrose's tackles could not be attributed to bravery alone, and neither could the performance of the exceptional Fraser Forster in goal, as he made all manner of saves to prevent Lionel Messi from scoring his 300th career goal, even if he could not prevent Andres Iniesta and Alba from turning around Celtic's improbable lead given to them by the equally improbable figure of Georgios Samaras.

It wasn't bravery that made him fling out his left arm to expertly parry a Messi header in the second half – the pick of his eight saves – it was technique and ability, allied to a bit of muscle memory.

In fact, Forster admirably refused to go along with the narrative that Celtic were merely fortunate just to be on the same pitch as Barca. When asked whether it was "the best of nights as well as the worst" by Sky, he replied: "Definitely the worst."

So arguably a bad night for Celtic, ultimately, yet a fine one for football north of the border. It is only a matter of months since harbingers of doom predicted the death of Scottish football when Rangers were demoted to the fourth tier following the club's rather spectacular bankruptcy and implosion.

It was said Celtic would shrivel up without the competition provided by their enemies in Glasgow yet, having won at Spartak Moscow for their first ever away win in the Champions League group stage, here they were within 30 seconds of taking a point off arguably the best team on the planet. They even prevented Messi from scoring at Camp Nou – an achievement bordering on remarkable given his strike-rate on home turf.

Manager Neil Lennon recognised that Celtic's performance had a wider significance. He said: "I thought the team were magnificent. It is bittersweet really, it is hard to take losing the game in the manner in which we did but I am so proud of the players, I think they gave the club and country a huge shot in the arm. There is a mixture of disappointment and anger that we didn't see it through to the end of the game. The players are hurting, they are angry, whatever you want to call it but it gave them a real a taste of playing in the Champions League at the highest level and they played fantastically well."

Lennon also succumbed to describing his players as "brave" – and they were, to an extent at least. But the defining characteristic of what was almost one of Celtic's great European nights was something a bit more than just bravery. It was ability too.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/brave-doesn-t-justice-celtic-display-080034520.html