IT took Celtic three long years to bring Champions League football proper back to Parkhead. Numerous disappointments were endured during that time. But their efforts proved well worth it in the end.
The Scottish champions may not, by the admission of their own manager Brendan Rodgers, replicate the historic success they enjoyed in Europe’s premier club competition 50 years ago this season in the coming months.
Nevertheless, the joy of this quite remarkable match against Manchester City, opponents who have spent sums of money they can only dream of and who do harbour aspirations of success, will live long in the memory of their supporters.
Read more: Pep's Parkhead payback comes with dazzling draw against classy Celtic
There have been many astonishing nights in the East End of Glasgow since the inception of the Champions League; the likes of AC Milan, Barcelona, Benfica and Manchester United have all been defeated against seemingly insurmountable odds.
There was to be no famous victory against Pep Guardiola’s expensively assembled superstars on this occasion - despite the fact that Rodgers’s men took the lead on no fewer than three occasions during the course of 90 utterly compelling minutes.
Read more: Pep's Parkhead payback comes with dazzling draw against classy Celtic
The two teams shared a point as goals from Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Nolito cancelled out a Moussa Dembele double and a Sterling own goal. It was probably a fair result given how much effort both combatants put into the occasion.
However, Celtic restored their pride, and then some, following the 7-0 drubbing they suffered at the hands of Barcelona in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago. What is more, the display and result will give them justifiable hope for the remainder of the competition.
Progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament fourth time in their history may be a tall order with Barcelona and City, two of the favourites, both in Group C. But they should certainly be optimistic of pipping Borussia Monchengladbach to third place in their section and claiming a spot in the last 32 of the Europa League after this.
City, who made light work of German rivals Monchengladbach in their opening game at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago and strolled to a 4-0 triumph, entered the game on the back of an extraordinary run of form having won their opening 10 matches.
Guardiola was unable to field his captain Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne, over £60 million of talent, due to injury. No matter. He could still call on the services of Nicolas Otamendi at centre half and Nolito on the left side of midfield. Together they cost in excess of £40 million.
Rodgers had a couple of big decisions to make in his team selection. He opted for Erik Sviatchenko in defence ahead of Jozo Simunovic and also chose Dembele instead of Leigh Griffiths up front.
There were, given the French forward’s scoring run of late, few complaints about the omission of the prolific Scot. Both of his decisions were vindicated in just the third minute when the home side opened the scoring.
Sergio Aguero gifted the home team a free-kick when he handled needlessly. The hosts took advantage. Sinclair picked out James Forrest charging into the opposition area. The winger squared it to Sviatchenko whose header was chested over the line by Dembele. It was their fastest ever goal in the competition.
Yet, this City team can score almost at will and they silenced the crowd with an equaliser very much against the run of play in the 12th minute. Fernandinho intercepted a Aleksandar Kolarov shot before curling an attempt beyond Craig Gordon.
Read more: Pep's Parkhead payback comes with dazzling draw against classy Celtic
Given the quality of the opposition their team was facing, those in the home support could have been forgiven for fearing they had enjoyed their moment of glory. Nothing could have been further from the truth. They were back in front just eight minutes later when Rogic sent Tierney clear.
The left back’s lung-bursting run was impressive and if there was a touch of good fortune about his goal – it was deflected past Bravo off the outstretched leg of Sterling – there could be no denying he deserved to put his side ahead again.
City came more into the game as the first half wore on. Otamendi forced a save from Craig Gordon with a long-range strike which skidded dangerously off the sodden turf and Nolito struck the crossbar. It was only a matter of time before they drew level.
Guardiola’s netted once more in the 28th minute when Sterling atoned for his earlier own goal. He received possession from David Silva and turned Tierney before steering a shot into the bottom right corner.
Celtic came out with renewed vigour in the second half and had gone in front for the third time after just 28 seconds. Nir Bitton fed Tierney wide on the left flank and the teenager whipped a cross with his left foot into the centre of the park. Kolarov failed to clear the danger and the ball fell to Demeble who controlled it on his left knee before netting an acrobatic overhead kick with his right foot.
Read more: Pep's Parkhead payback comes with dazzling draw against classy Celtic
Gordon’s performance suggested that Rodgers had been wrong to wrong to replace him with Dorus de Vries. He denied first Nolito and then Ilkay Gundogan in rapid succession as City pushed hard for an equaliser. He was helpless, however, to proven them scoring their third in the 55th minute.
He pushed an Aguero shot into the path of Nolito who made no mistake. Rodgers responded almost immediately by withdrawing the exhausted Rogic and putting on Stuart Armstrong. Roberts also took over from Forrest out wide and Griffiths replaced Nir Bitton.
Guardiola put on Stones for Clichy and Fernando for Nolito. But the Premier League leaders were unable to net for a fourth time and failed to record a victory for the first time this season.
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