Kayal- best moment of my career

Beram Kayal has described Celtic’s Champions League qualification as the best moment in his career.

The midfielder stepped in to replace the suspended Victor Wanyama as Celtic edged their way past Spartak Moscow into the last 16.

Kayal watched the closing stages from the bench after being replaced by Joe Ledley but was on the pitch at the final whistle lapping up the celebrations in front of 60,000 delighted supporters.

“I’m very happy for the fans, the manager and the players, it was a special night for everyone,” he smiled.

“We always believed that we could make the last 16 of the Champions League and we’ve achieved that. Seven points from three home matches is very special.

“If Benfica were leading in Barcelona we’d be in trouble but we concentrated on our own match and did our job. To get 10 points from the group was brilliant and if we hadn’t gone through it would have been very unlucky.

“It’s a special moment for everyone, it’s the best moment of my career- when we got the penalty I was sitting in the bench praying and thankfully Kris put it away.”

Commons penalty was one of the tensest moments Celtic Park has ever witnessed with the goalscorer revealing that he wasn’t aware of it’s true significance as he stepped up to the penalty spot.

“I thought Barcelona were winning anyway so I just thought, “I will smash this in, we have done our part but Benfica are losing anyway,” Commons revealed.

“We got the feeling from the crowd that Barcelona had scored. We didn’t really feel that we needed to press and force the issue to get a goal.

“I could then sense the fans were anxious and with the manager willing us to get a goal and also bringing on Lassad.

“I would have thought someone from the sideline would have said, “listen, we need a goal because at this point in time we are going out”.

“So taking the penalty I had no idea what the consequence was – or I would have probably given it to Lassad.

“He was a big goalkeeper and the only worry was that his feet were still going to be in the middle as he dived.

“I wanted to go as high as possible without ballooning it over the bar and lucky enough for me it hit the underside of the bar and went in after the bounce and then into the roof of the net. My heart sank for a millisecond and then I was able to celebrate.”

CLICK HERE for Commons horror injury- picture

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