Neil Lennon doesn't know if he has experienced a greater high in his football career after guiding Celtic to a famous 2-1 victory over Barcelona in their Champions League clash on Wednesday.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
Victor Wanyama headed the hoops into the lead in the 21st minute before 18-year-old Tony Watt, who had come on as a substitute, netted a second in the 83rd minute. Lionel Messi scored late on but it did nothing to dampen the excitement at Parkhead.
Celtic were on the back foot for large chunks of the match that saw Barca twice hit the woodwork while Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster also made some incredible saves.
After the match, Lennon said: "This is up there with anything I've done in my life.
"Playing-wise, being in the team that reached the UEFA Cup final was pretty special and the 10 years I had under Martin O'Neill were great times.
"I had great times under Gordon [Strachan], making the last 16 [of the Champions League] and beating Manchester United.
"But as a manager, I don't know if I will top that.
"I hope I do and progress, I am still young, still learning, but it's up there with anything I've achieved, not just in my football career, but in my life."
He added: "Barcelona had good chances and once again my keeper made some great saves.
"To beat Barcelona you need your goalkeeper to play well and the men in front of him obviously to be disciplined and concentrated.
"When we scored first we knew the storm was coming and it came.
"You need some luck, Barcelona hit the post and crossbar and they can feel unlucky that they didn't get something from the game.
"But as far we are concerned we just played the best team in the world and Tito Vilanova can bring on David Villa and Cesc Fabregas and I am bringing on an 18-year-old kid who cost £50,00 from Airdrie."
Watt was naturally delighted to have scored against the Spanish giants.
He added: "It's unbelievable, one of the best victories in the club's history, probably.
"It's my first goal at Parkhead and it couldn't have come any better.
"I saw the keeper coming out and I tried to put it by him and obviously I did.
"I didn't think about how big a moment it was, I took it in my stride and put it away.
"It's my job, you've got to put the chances away so I'm happy I did.
"I was nervous at the end when they scored but we saw the game out."





Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story