In 1967, long before I was born, Celtic beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to become the first British football team to win the European Cup. That victory will always remain the pinacle of Celtic's footballing achievements, nothing can equal it, but last night they did the unthinkable by beating Barcelona 2-1 at Celtic Park in front of a passionate and delirious home crowd. It was the greatest result since Lisbon because Barcelona are the best club side ever to have graced the beautiful game. Lead by their talisman Lionel Messi, they boast players that are exceptional in their passing, movement, footballing intelligence and control of the ball. Barcelona have devised a way of systematically taking teams apart by using the aforementioned skills in wave after wave of intense attack. I've never seen a team ruthlessly dominate games in such a way before. There is something cold and calculated about it, but beautiful and hypnotic at the same time. Pass, move, pass, move, until they find a way to goal. To give Celtic their due, they were great as well, but not in the same way that Barcelona were great. Under intense pressure for most of the game Celtic played with lion hearts, fierce determination and admirable discipline. Most importantly they took their chances in front of goal. Celtic have enjoyed some great results in the past. Beating Manchester United 1-0 at home with a Nakamura wondergoal was fantastic, but trumping Barcelona was so much sweeter because they are the best of the best. To hail this as the greatest result since Lisbon is to honour Barcelona just as much as Celtic.
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