Whatever happened to the Celtic side that won away to Spartak Moscow?
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.
FRASER FORSTER
During the course of that group phase Forster went from strength to strength but Celtic were able to hold onto the keeper for another season which ended with a place in the England squad at the World Cup in Brazil.
His move to Southampton has been a success with Joe Hart standing between the him and the England goalkeeping shirt.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
He started the following season in great form but required hip surgery before Christmas and has never quite regained top form.
His game is now mainly defensive, against Gladbach he’ll be used as a central defender alongside Erik Sviatchenko.
EFE AMBROSE
There were mistakes under Neil Lennon and also Ronny Deila, following a pre season own goal for Barcelona he’s barely surfaced in Brendan Rodgers plans.
Currently in footballing Siberia he hasn’t featured for the Celtic development side since the opening day of the season when he played alongside Dedryck Boyata.
KELVIN WILSON
A very strange career, a very strange Celtic career. After impressing Neil Lennon when together at Nottingham Forest he arrived in Glasgow on a Bosman deal in the summer of 2011 much to the fury of Billy Davies.
Following a hit or miss first season he excelled in the Champions League campaign but returned to Forest the following summer due to family reasons.
It never really worked out for him back at the City Ground he is now at Rotherham and trying to impress new boss Kenny Jackett.
EMILIO IZAGUIRRE
Up until Tierney emerged out of the academy Izzy barely had a challenger for his role at left-back which is never healthy.
Now in his seventh season at Celtic he can be trusted to give it 100% commitment against Gladbach but the German side have pace to burn and are bound to target Celtic’s new stand in left-back
KRIS COMMONS
In the return match with Spartak he smacked in a penalty kick off the crossbar that took the hoops into the last 16 with 10 points.
The departure of Neil Lennon cast doubts over his Celtic prospects, while he managed to outlast Ronny Deila it’s unlikely that he will make a single appearance under Brendan Rodgers.
SCOTT BROWN
Despite the changes of manager he has retained his place and the captaincy and has found a big fan in Brendan Rodgers.
His goal against Hapoel Beer Sheva took Celtic into the group phase with his display against Manchester City possibly one of his best ever,
VICTOR WANYAMA
His physique is perfect for playing in central midfield with no one taking liberties with the Kenyan.
With massive interest coming in from England this was to be Victor’s last season at Celtic, after three seasons at Southampton he was on the move again to Spurs during the close season.
CHARLIE MULGREW
After Neil Lennon left his career seemed to go off course with a strange contract situation developing at Celtic during the summer,
Brendan Rodgers did make some sort of offer but being reunited with Anthony Stokes carried more appeal although life has hardly been much fun as part of Blackburn’s struggles.
GEORGIOS SAMARAS
The purple patch of purple patches was highlighted by the winning goal against Spartak.
Redeployed wide on the left by Lennon his strong running style caused teams no end of problems but he was rarely able to recapture that form.
After leaving Celtic alongside Lennon in 2014 his career nosedived with West Brom his first port of call before going globe-trotting.
GARY HOOPER
Without Anthony Stokes he adapted to playing as the sole striker and looked very comfortable at the Champions League level.
Season 12/13 proved to be his last at Celtic, after a double in the Scottish Cup Final against Hibs he moved on to Norwich City and is currently with Sheffield Wednesday.
JOE LEDLEY
He stayed on for just over another season at Celtic before agreeing a move to Crystal Palace with his contract ticking down.
Last season a leg break looked like forcing him to miss out on Euro 16 but he recovered to Wales to the semi-final where they lost to Portugal.
JAMES FORREST
His career never got close to the heights anticipated with injuries never far away hampering his progress.
Under Brendan Rodgers his days looked numbered but some plain talking from the Irishman has worked wonders with Forrest on fire with Patrick Roberts watching from the bench.