It really was unexpected, going over to Moscow after drawing 0-0 at home with Benfica nothing was anticipated from Neil Lennon’s Champions League rookies.
A tea-time kick off Celtic Park time helped to dull the atmosphere with one very familiar name in the opposition line-up- Aiden McGeady.
There was the pleasant surprise of Gary Hooper opening the scoring for the hoops after just 12 minutes as the former Scunthorpe man tested the pace of the home defenders.
Being an away Champions League match it was a novelty to see Celtic in front but either side of half time Emmanuel Eminike scored twice for the home side to bring us all back to earth.
Then something strange happened- Celtic got a break in the 63rd minute when Juan Insaurralde was sent off.
How would Lennon react- positively! James Forrest replaced the yellow carded Victor Wanyama in the 70th minute and was immediately involved in a bizarre own goal from Dmitri Kombarov.
Scores level going into the closing stages? We’d been there before away to Bayern Munich, AC Milan and others and blown it but this one felt a little different.
Right on cue, and giving Spartak no chance of replying Georgios Samaras headed home a cross from Emilio Izaguirre to ensure that finally, after 21 away trips the bhoys picked up full points.
Who were these players? Video Celts dusts down his teamlines to find out where the history bhoys are these days.