Champions League: Celtic realise dreams of reaching group stage

By Thomas McGuiganBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments43

Celtic manager Neil Lennon celebrates Jamers Forrest's goal

Neil Lennon was off and running.

His touchline gallop to join in the Celtic celebrations and "pile-on" to acclaim James Forrest's injury-time winner illustrated what Champions League qualification means.

British football hasn't witnessed such a celebration since the trenchcoat-wearing Porto boss Jose Mourinho flapped like a giant bat following Francisco Costinha's injury-time goal at Old Trafford in 2004.

High-fiving fans as he made his way back to the dugout, before receiving some calming words of advice from assistant manger Johan Mjallby, Lennon puffed out his cheeks and re-focused.

Successfully seeing out injury time to secure a place in the group stage at Shakhter Karagandy's expense, and the draw on Thursday afternoon, was done without three of the club's most important players.

The departed Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and Kelvin Wilson all featured heavily as Celtic progressed to the last 16 stage of the competition.

But restoring Efe Ambrose to central defence to partner Mikael Lustig and playing Charlie Mulgrew and Adam Matthews on the flanks improved Celtic defensively, while Anthony Stokes eased some of the attacking burden on Georgios Samaras.

And a clearly irked Lennon was keen to convey his frustration with his side's critics - and his admiration for the current squad - in claiming a place in the cash-rich group stage.

His steely-eyed post-match media conference was in stark contrast to his James Forrest-induced victory gallop.

But the Celtic manager's mood will surely improve following Thursday's draw and adding to his squad.

The sobering effect of the first leg defeat in Kazakstan was forgotten and swept aside as Celtic Park once again proved too hot to handle for a European side.

"It's the greatest thing I've ever done in football," said the Celtic boss.

The Scottish champions have been drawn against Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax in Group H.

Celtic players celebrate James Forrest's injury-timer winner

Lennon had indicated he would like a 'Battle of Britain' and also to be drawn against Real Madrid, with the Spanish outfit's midfielder Xabi Alonso indicating the feeling was mutual.

"What a night for @celticfc!! Celtic Park buzzing again. I wish we could meet in group stage and play for once in there," he tweeted.external-link

The club have agreed a fee with Schalke for Finland striker Teemu Pukki and Ashdod midfielder Nir Biton is also moving to Glasgow.

"We lost three important players and it's been difficult to replace them," said Lennon once the dust had settled on another pulsating night at Celtic Park.

"We came into this with no real help, which makes it even more remarkable what we have achieved."

Lennon will hope his side continue to punch above their weight against Europe's finest in the coming months.

And he may be on the move again...

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43 comments

  • Will @22

    People will cry tears of laughter when they read your post.

    I'm a Rangers fan and even I can't seriously contend that.

    They signed protestants right from the outset whilst, to our eternal shame, thousands of fans publicly burnt scarves outside Ibrox when we signed catholics for the first time in 1990. Their fans also won the FIFA Fair Play Award in 2003.

    I wish them well.

  • @DoNweirO666 - the proportionate gulf between Celtic & other SPL sides is as big as Man City & Cardiff (if not bigger). Does that mean it is ridiculous when Celtic lose?

    The only silly thing about the Champions League is the name, it's a European Super League & aimed at the rich. The qualifying is designed to see all the small clubs eliminated as quickly as possible

  • @ no. 11. If by real football you are talking to about the EPL, i would say get a grip. The EPL is far from real football mate, the prices for players is a joke in itself. Man City spend 85 million and lose to Cardiff, that seems real. The EPL is fantasy football mate without much good football on show to back it up. Small league teams getting through to the champions league is real. HMFC here.

  • Who can explain why Benfica go into Pot 1 and Celtic who elimnated them at the group stage last year go into Pot 4. Man City came bottom of their group but go into Pot 3. Seems to me it is about TV audiences and nothing to do with football ability.

  • And to add Celtic having to play any Qualifiers is a joke in itself. Did any of the free pass teams that did not win there title have to work harder than small league champions? Champions first in the Champions league then let the free passers fight it out. Lets get some romance back in the tourney. HMFC.

  • 25 If the decent Rangers fans had to get more publicity everyone would sympathise with their plight and wish them well..the idiots who ran and still run your club need to be replaced and some new governance and values engendered

  • I am delighted that we made the group stages Second the tie against SK was over two legs we lost the first and won the second to qualify JOB DONE.Will enjoy the games as they come and take what we get any team can beat any team as has been proven a million times over so sit back and enjoy.As for people hating Lennon how can you hate someone you don't know also the jealousy will eat some people up

  • No one can deny Celtic this moment, after being made to join the second qualifying round after reaching the last 16 last season they have proved that they deserve to be in the CL. As for the group, couldn't have asked for better, playing at the highest level now! And as for the EPL, what should we care? Buying their way into mediocracy amongst European football. Would rather do it the hard way.

  • @22 Aye right enough them fans who have been awarded by both UEFA and FIFA for their good behaviour and the carnival atmosphere they bring. Such jealousy. Sad....

  • outstanding celtic never doubted it for a second (well maybe a couple of seconds) but who cares the jobs done.

  • 8.footy-fan81
    "how come we can only comment on scottish football? no-one cares"

    Actually you should have asked, 'how come we can't comment on english football? no-one cares.' Because that always turns into the blues are the best - no they're not, it's the reds - until the thread fills up with scouse trolls

    Celtic are important in Scotland, and we want to comment about it

  • A great night again at Parkhead. The team gave it everything, and all done without sacrificing any sheep. No bah'd, ae?

  • @38 [ Col_wyorks ] -

    "If the decent Rangers fans had to get more publicity everyone would sympathise with their plight and wish them well.."

    The decent Rangers fans?

    Well, credit where it's due. Very nice chaps, both of them.

  • Quality unbiased reporting from Sally at BBC Reporting Scotland...!
    Available till 6pm today...

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0391219/?t=18m34s

  • @12 The EPL not much good football on show? That actually made me giggle the standard and tempo of the game here is seriously high and Cardiff beating Man City or in lesser terms the 'smaller' clubs beating the bigger clubs that's great entertainment. As for Celtic, good luck in the CL you lot deserve to be in it.

  • @25 Good on ye mate ! At last ! A mature, non-bitter fan of a rival team.

  • Well done for getting through to the group stages, Last 16 here we come again. HH

    Hope we get Real, would love to see them at Parkhead.

  • Van Dijk looks a decent player - hopefully we won't miss Wilson and great news about Pukki and Biton... 3 points today after Wednesday night is a good result no matter of the performance.... Got my 3 ticket package for the CL today - WOO HOO !! there was a 3x £1.50 fee for each ticket though - a bit naughty when it was only really one booking - not really complaining though :) Hail Hail !!

  • @41 [ Don Dealgan ] -

    "My heart just recovered its normal rhythm finally after Wed nite!"

    I know - wish we could say the same about the team!

    Fair play to them though, it was some performance midweek - can't really expect them to hit top form at Tannadice a few days later.

    But bagging the three points when you're not in top gear is the mark of Champions. : )

  • My heart just recovered its normal rhythm finally after Wed nite!

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