How on earth did Lennon’s team beat Barca in 2012?

How on earth did Neil Lennon assemble a side capable of beating Barcelona in 2012?

Without doubt it was the career highlight of almost all the players involved and the management team.

How that side came together is a minor miracle, at the start of the season no one would ever predicted that XI taking to the pitch never mind pull off an incredible triumph against the odds.

When he prepared his team four stalwarts associated with the Lennon years were posted missing- Scott Brown, Emilio Izaguirre, Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes.

It’s not going overboard to say that that quartet had played a massive part in the previous seasons title win despite falling 15 points behind Rangers (IL) at the start of November.

Brendan Rodgers looks like having a better selection of players to choose from but while he cheered the success of his fellow Irishman four years ago he now has to put together a side capable of matching the heroics of 2012.

Click below for the gallery of five free transfers, one loan deal and a £4m transfer budget that beat Barca.

FRASER FORSTER

After two seasons on loan Celtic had secured Forster onto a permanent transfer transfer from Newcastle United for a token £1m fee.

Forster was Lennon’s first choice keeper throughout his four years at Celtic and had put in an impressive showing in the first leg.

In the return match he excelled himself, stopping everything that Barca could throw at him until Messi finally put the ball in the net in the closing minutes

MIKAEL LUSTIG

Had been signed on a free transfer from Rosenborg earlier in the year and was still finding his feet.

His billing as a Swedish international was reassuring but his slight frame contrasted sharply with assistant manager Johan Mjallby.

It was strictly a defensive performance from Lustig that night, no time for overlaps but he tucked in well, stuck to the script and helped keep Barca at bay with 100% concentration.

KELVIN WILSON

Another free transfer having joined Celtic from Nottingham Forest in July 2011 after Billy Davies had refused to agree a January deal.

After a testing first season he upped his game incredibly, looking perfectly at home in the Champions League- alongside Efe Ambrose!

Sadly this was as good as it got for Wilson, at the start of the following season he returned to Nottingham Forest due to personal reasons and is now at Rotherham.

EFE AMBROSE

In his second season at Celtic, the £600,000 signing from Ashdod was more famous for his somersault celebrations that defensive bloomers.

Until the last 16 match at home to Juventus Efe was a fairly reliable member of the back four. His play was never less than wholehearted with few opponents getting the better of him.

Like many positions the secret was in a partnership with the chemistry between Ambrose and Wilson working out sweetly.

ADAM MATTHEWS

Played out of position at left-back and never put a foot wrong- who would want to play the most attacking side in the game on their wrong side?

Matthews stuck firmly to his defensive chores and ensured that Barca were choked out of space to work in.

Like Wilson and Lustig he basically arrived on a free transfer with only a development fee paid to Cardiff City for his registration in 2011.

KRIS COMMONS

What a signing, the £300,000 paid to Derby County in January 2011 was repaid countless times over.

For this night, and this night only Commons was required to track back and close down his opponents rather than fire random 30 yard efforts at goal.

He took one for the team then on matchday six he fired in the penalty that took Celtic into the last 16 with 10 points collected from the group

VICTOR WANYAMA

The ultimate project come good. A £1m signing from the Belgian league that grew up quickly in the Champions League and put down a marker in the Nou Camp.

At Celtic Park he was in inspired form, given the type of role that excelled in- breaking up attacks and providing extra backing for his defenders.

His head goal was the icing on the cake of the performance- and almost his sign off as a move to England became inevitable for the young midfielder.

JOE LEDLEY

The fourth player in Lennon’s side to arrive without a transfer fee, the Welshman was one of Lennon’s key early arrivals when his Cardiff contract expired.

Like Wanyama this type of fixture was tailor made to his game, packing in tightly with his fellow midfielders to deny Barca the space that they can punish teams from.

Ledley put everything into this match earning the sort of result that he went on to emulate as he returned from a broken leg to help Wales to the last four of the 2016 European Championships.

CHARLIE MULGREW

Added a touch of craft to the midfield but was mainly required to graft and cover back to deny Barca space.

For a free transfer signing from Aberdeen he provided exceptional value and played a full part in the big successes of the Lennon regime.

Once Lennon left Mulgrew’s game tailed off with his departure after Ajax scored at Celtic Park angering many fans.

GEORGIOS SAMARAS

Enjoyed the most productive season of his Celtic career after being given a roving role on the left that was neither as a winger or midfielder. It was the Samaras role.

His headed winning goal away to Spartak Moscow seemed to give him a new lease of life and belief.

Sadly it wasn’t too last for much longer, when his Celtic contract expired in 2014 he had a short stint with West Brom but never recaptured the heights enjoyed during season 12/12.

MIKU

The quiz question! When Celtic fans are asked to name this team Miku is either the first answer or completely forgotten.

One of a long series of strikers that failed to challenge Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes for his place in Lennon’s side.

His international experience, and La Liga know how came in handy for this fixture but his Celtic career was over long before the season ended.

Substitute Tony Watt replaced Mikael Lustig after costing £80,000 arriving from Airdrie while Beram Kayal was a £1.5m signing from Macabbi Haifa in the summer of 2010