Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is anticipating a re-run of one of Celtic’s most dramatic nights when Spartak Moscow return to Glasgow.
Celtic Park has hosted many dramatic Champions League nights but the 2007 qualifier with Spartak is the equal of any in terms of drama, tension and importance.
After drawing 1-1 away from home Celtic had high hopes of reaching the group stages despite the wealth of talent that the Russians could call upon.
Vennegoor of Hesselink led the line alongside Scott McDonald and recalls the game in which he feared he had cost the club £12m!
“The Spartak match was one of the most incredible of my career,” he told The Sun. “We were in a good position after drawing 1-1 in Russia but nobody could have expected the drama in Glasgow.
“Roman Pavlyuchenko missed a penalty for Spartak, then Scott McDonald scored. But Pavlyuchenko equalised.
“Spartak went down to ten men and we had so many chances to win it — and then we got a penalty.
“That should have been game over — but unfortunately some tall Dutch guy decided he wanted more drama and hit the bar to take the game to the wire.
“I can smile about it now, but at the time I couldn’t believe I’d missed. There was so much at stake and I just thought ‘Oh my God… what have I done?’.
“When the game went to a shootout, I had a decision to make. I was one of our penalty takers but I’d just missed one so wasn’t feeling great. I could have chickened out, but I decided to be a man. I had to take responsibility and get back on the horse.
“I felt huge relief when it went in. It was one of the most nerve-wracking moments of my career — but I’m proud that I took it and scored.
“All the boys apart from Shunsuke Nakamura scored and then Artur Boruc worked his magic with a save to win it. The celebrations were amazing. I was so happy, so relieved. We chased Artur and there is that great photo of Tommy Burns flying through the air and landing on top of the players.
“Eventually, after a night of drama, we could celebrate a happy ending. It was a fantastic moment — one of the best — and I really hope Celtic can beat Spartak again. They deserve to go through.
“This team has come so far in the Champions League and Lenny deserves to lead them into the last 16. It would be an amazing achievement for him and I believe Celtic will win and qualify.”
CLICK HERE for Lennon we’ll be stronger for Spartak
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If we win 2-0 and benfica win 1-0 do we go through?
My mate has said from day one that Sammy should go but I always thought he was wrong. Not now. For such a big man he’s terrible. Goes down too easy. Always concerned about the opposition player who is hurt. For gods sake, he’s 6 foot 3. Throw yourself about.
How can u still criticise sammy after such a turnaround in form in the last year? He might be a big guy but hes never been particularly strong or physical and his attitude, speed and technique usually compensate for his lack of muscle and given his recent form and the fact he scored in 5 champs league away games in a row including the nou camp i think the last thing he deserves is folk nit picking at him
Big sammy has been brilliant for us where would we be this season without the goals he scored ?
Couldnt agree more with larry.I am afraid that you and me get ridiculed when you dont accept samaras is a centre forward, he is too much of a bottler for a start.This man has lost us more games than he has ever won us so before the hysterical fellow celtic fans have a fit,remember this man only scored 3 goals in a season yet was given a new and improved contract.when we played rangers he was bullied by a 41 year old centre half.A 23 year old centre forward playing for celtic should have rag dolled weir all over the park.He doesnt deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as some of our warriors who have led our club from the front.
Samaras has scored in every away game in the champions league for us this season (qualifiers included). 5 goals away from home in 5 games. Nuff said.
big sammy is the main man on european nights so shut it yous sound like huns 2 me u dont have a clue 5 goals in 5 away game name the last celtic player 2 do that plz
for a start,why dont you learn to speak properly and spell correctly,and be an adult would also something you should consider.I suspect I have followed celtic a great deal longer than you so you can dispense with the hun tag.I stand by my overall observations of samaras,and it is a fact that very few managers would have tolerated such a poor return and mediocre performances for so long.To tell someone to shut it because they hold an opinion whose opinion is foriegn to yours makes me think that you are behaving like a hun ,not me.
get a grip u cant honstley say big sammy hasnt been our best player this year in europe his performances have been nothing but brilliant sorry for the hun comment that was below the belt but il no sit bak n watch all you samaras haters slate the bigman wen he doin well hes had enough abuse over the years if ur a true celt time 2 start backing n stop moaning !!!!!!
its not moaning ,its called an opinion that happens to differ from yours.