Neil Lennon hails 'magnificent' Celtic after win in Moscow

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Celtic were 3-2 winners against Spartak Moscow

Manager Neil Lennon said he was "probably the proudest man in Europe" after Celtic's 3-2 Champions League victory over 10-man Spartak Moscow.

"I cannot speak highly enough of the players, they were magnificent," he enthused.

"They showed great character and fortitude to come back after going behind just after half-time.

"People underestimate Celtic. I don't think we get the respect we deserve but that might change a few attitudes."

An injury-time header from Greek striker Georgios Samaras gave Celtic their first ever away win in the group stages of the Champions League.

They now lie second in Group G on four points, two adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Gary Hooper put the visitors in front on 12 minutes before Emmanuel Emenike scored for Spartak with close-range finishes either side of the interval.

After Spartak defender Juan Insaurralde was sent off on 63 minutes for a cynical trip on Hooper, Celtic levelled 10 minutes later when a strike from substitute James Forrest rebounded in off Dmitri Kombarov.

Then Samaras found the net late on to give the Scottish Premier League side a famous victory.

"I thought we thoroughly deserved to win it," said Lennon. "We didn't start particularly well, we looked a bit nervous and our passing wasn't there for the first five or 10 minutes, but we scored a good goal.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon
Lennon salutes the band of Celtic fans at the Luzhniki Stadium

"I thought Gary Hooper was world class tonight. I thought he was just magnificent and the catalyst for a lot of good things we did.

"People keep asking me about him playing for England. Well, I think he showed how good he is."

Lennon was also keen to praise the rest of his players, but he insisted qualification for the knock-out stages was still a tough ask.

"It is our first away win in the Champions League, so we have broken a record," he said. "It is fantastic, but there is a lot of football to be played in the group."

Celtic's next two games are against Spanish giants Barcelona, the first taking place at Camp Nou on 23 October.

"It is still an open group for second place as far as I am concerned," said Lennon. "We are still novices in this tournament, but a few more performances like that wouldn't do us any harm at all."

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222 comments

  • First and foremost, well done Celtic. Doing the country proud !

    KTF

    @91

    "Obviously lots of jealous Rangers fans on here!"

    There isn't, just some sack with loads of "dogeared" notepads with all his ID's and passwords from his ADHD days on 606.

    :)

  • Celtic challenging in Europe is really what Scottish football needs right now

  • congratulations to celtic, terrific result. i must admit i myself thought they had no hope in europe this year. shows how much i know eh haha

  • #208 I can't speak for all Celtic fans but for my part I was only refuting the misinformation and niggardly comments from Rangers fans who are so intent in denying the truth about their team that was liquidated.

    Also, we did enjoy our win by the way and appreciated the plaudits for fair-minded observers.

  • Oh, plenty of negativity here! I am an Arsenal fan for what it is worth but want to say congrats to Celtic for the victory. However it was achieved it was a big barrier to breakthrough. It will be interesting to see if they can qualify for KO stages, with those tax fiddlers out of the way, significant CL funds should mean Celtic dominate Scottish football for a decade

  • Think people need to understand that Celtic come from a nation of 5 million people miniscule in comparison to the likes of Russia, Spain and even England, so any success we get should be acknowledged with respect and good grace!
    We do play in a league inferior to nations mentioned,in my eyes that makes results like this one even more remarkable!
    WellDone Celtic!

  • Another problem is that in all probibility Celtic will get their best but loose, which may be 2 back to back losses, and could dampen the moral, while the other two clubs may pick up vital wins and raise their moral. So if Celtic have any intentions on qualifiying they must keep the belief and not drop their heads if they are beated twice by a superb team, and just go out with nothing to loose.

  • @40.

    Apparently not at news broadcasting either, otherwise why would you be on this site? Anyway, have you not got a McDonald's to be visiting...

  • As a Rangers fan I believe I will be in a minority when I say well done to Celtic!! Great result for Scottish football.
    Ultimately I'm Scottish & proud of it and I'm very happy for ANY Scottish team to do well in Europe assisting our standing and should assist other teams in future qualify for Europe . This may be Motherwell or Hearts or Hibs in the next year or 2 but good luck to them!!

  • £94.426.217.22 reasons to be cheerful

  • Great result,my only worry now is if Barca beat us twice then they would have qualified and then could field weaker teams for the remaining 2 matches.
    Hopefully Celtic can get something from 1 of those matches,would be fantastic too come out of this group and make the knockout stages,then as they say,anything can happen.

  • As a Scunthorpe fan I take a very keen interest in Gary Hooper's career. For me the last four years have been an absolute travesty, we was better than most EPL strikers in the Championship for us but only Celtic were able to pony up the cash because tiny Scunny will take whatever they can get (no disrespect to Celtic) and also how he's not a full international already.

    Good times for Hoops

  • I am so proud of my team last night, we showed grit to come back from a goal down. One of the best european nights I can remember, thank you Lenny for bringing back the thunder.
    Samaras was immense, the bhoy has come good under Lennon. He is a confidence player and last nights game will boost him to preform.
    Only question now is are Hearts ready to get a football lesson this weekend?

  • Well deserved, a far cry from the 'Lennon out/useless Celtic' mantra of two weeks ago.

  • As a Motherwell fan I support Celtic and any Scottish team in Europe.
    I am delighted for Celtic, Excellent result. When the draw was made i felt they would struggle for 3rd but the class they have shown i know they will at least finish 3rd.

    Celtic have a great striker in Hooper and Commons pace adds to the the attacking talent, never mind Forrest who is breaking into the team.

  • I read countless posts on the 'how will British teams do in Europe' a few weeks ago saying 'Celtic won't get a single point from anywhere'.

    I'm so proud to be a Celtic fan, we've already done ourselves proud. Can't wait to fly out the Barca in 3 weeks!

  • The current crop of players may or may not be Champions League winning class. However, the club itself and our fantastic support are in a class apart. Parkhead will, as usual, be phenomenal when Barcelona and Moscow show up and that is what makes us special. HAIL HAIL.

  • I am a Rangers-loving Motherwell supporter (blame various famillial influences) and do not, as such, like Celtic, but I found myself pumping a fist in the car listening to the commentary. Well done bhoys, you did the nation proud. I wish other clubs (especially my own) could have done better in Europe but hopefully they can look to the champions for inspiration in next season's qualifying rounds

  • Great result for Scottish football.
    It's a shame that a small minority continue to post negatively about this result. This negativity, be it sectarian or just historical hatred, is what puts off investment in the SPL. .The bickering needs to stop now.

  • Some of the posters really need to take a hard look at themselves.
    It's one thing to be grudging with praise but the spiteful,petty jealousy and bile displayed here is disgraceful.
    To those predicting a "pump fest" in Barcelona,at least we get to play Barca & to those who claim to support Scottish football (as long as Celtic don't do well) grow up &join 21st. Century.

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