Ten years ago today Celtic Park housed one of it’s most dramatic ever matches.
Gordon Strachan’s side had earned a 1-1 draw away to Spartak Moscow thanks to a goal from Paul Hartley but there was still a lot of work to be done to complete the job and earn a place in the group stage of the Champions League.
Scott McDonald’s goal midway through the first half came shortly after Roman Pavluchenko missed a penalty but just before half time the Spartak striker equalised with Arthur Boruc and Lee Naylor almost coming to blows as they left the pitch at the break.
The second half was end to end stuff followed by extra time. Both teams exchanged chances with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missing a penalty as extra time became inevitable.
Back in those days qualifying for the group phase was ‘only’ worth around £12m but it was an arena that Celtic could go into with some confidence having reached the last 16 the previous season.
As ever Boruc emerged as the hero with two penalty saves while Gary Caldwell, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski converted from the penalty spot with Tommy Burns prominent in the celebrations.
Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor (O’Dea 110), Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady (Riordan 104), McDonald (Zurawski 97), Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Hartley, Killen, Sno.
