A Heartbreaking Loss!

Despite Leading Twice, The Bhoys Fall To Barcelona At Parkhead In The Champions League

By Tony Quinn

Celtic can hold their heads up after their Champions League last-16 first leg game against Barcelona even though they went down 3-2 at Parkhead. The Hoops twice led through headers from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Barry Robson, who was making his debut in Europe's premier cup competition following his January transfer from Dundee United. But two goals from the outstanding Lionel Messi and another from Thierry Henry handed the visitors a deserved 3-2 win to put them in control ahead of the second at the Nou Camp.

After the game Gordon Strachan admitted he did not hold out much hope for the second leg on March 4 at the Nou Camp. The boss joked: "I wouldn't put my house on it. It took me 35 years to get it. But we will go over there and give it a go. I don't know if they are the best team in the world but they have the best side in the world. It's not often you get to see a team like that."

Barcelona President Joan Laporta was thrilled with the atmosphere at Parkhead and feels a special bond has been formed. "We had a magnificent evening at Celtic Park and I was very proud of what happened," Laporta said. "I'm not just talking about our display on the pitch, although it was pretty good. I'm talking about the atmosphere in the city this week and the atmosphere at Celtic Park. To hear our supporters chanting 'Celtic, Celtic' while the Scottish fans were singing 'Barca, Barca' was special. The Celtic fans do everything to back their team but they acknowledged the quality of Barcelona as well, which is the way it should be."

Samuel Eto'o was also full of praise for the unique European night atmosphere at Parkhead. "This place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. There is nowhere like it in football and I can see how the people love to play here and speak do highly of it. Not many teams come to Glasgow and win so this is a result we can be proud of." Eto'o said.

A late goal by sub Shunsuke Nakamura gave Celtic a 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Love Street. Gordon Strachan rang the changes as Andreas Hinkel and Scott Brown were both back in the side after missing the Champions League defeat to Barcelona in midweek. The German replaced Paul Caddis, who dropped out of the squad altogether, while Brown came in for Paul Hartley who started on the bench. Striker Georgios Samaras made his first start in place of the injured Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, and Massimo Donati replaced Shunsuke Nakamura and with four minutes remaining, Nakamura, on for Barry Robson just after the hour mark, curled home a free-kick from 25 yards to claim all three points.

Reports claim Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will offer £12million for Aiden McGeady. Keegan sent assistant Terry McDermott to Glasgow for the Barcelona game. McDermott then told Keegan it will take "funny money" to tempt Celtic into selling the 21-year-old. Now Keegan will spend more time monitoring the player and deciding whether or not to weigh in with an offer at the end of the season.

Celtic have swooped to sign Romanian kid Richard Filaret in a £125,000 deal. The 17-year old Atletico Arad midfielder was on trial at Parkhead in December, along with team-mate George Tucadean. And Filaret has done enough to earn a five - year deal with the Hoops according to reports in the Romanian media. Filartet ia a member of Romanian under-19 team and is rated as a top prospect. Italian giants Saampdoria were also desperate to land Filaret, but he has opted to move to Glasgow.

Massimo Donati has been quoted as saying he would like to return to Serie A. "I would be a hypocrite if I said I am not thinking about Italy," the former AC Milan man told an Italian newspaper. "I miss our style of football. And if offers come in from Serie A it would only be fair to consider them. I am ruling nothing out. We will have to wait and see what happens. But for now I am happy and honored to wear the Celtic shirt."

Jussi Jaaskelainen's agent says the Bolton goalkeeper would be interested in a move to Celtic. The Finnish international is out of contract in the summer and all talks over a new deal are now on hold until the end of the season as Bolton bid to secure their place in the EPL "I haven't spoken to Celtic about Jussi, but it's obviously a massive club and it would certainly appeal to him if he is to move on," Harrison revealed. "The idea of playing in the Champions League and of winning trophies attracts him. You can't ignore a club like Celtic."