The Hoops Continue To Prevail

"This is the greatest night of my footballing life," Celtic Manager Lennon told Sky Sports.

Celtic boss Lennon ecstatic after qualifying for the
 Champions League 

And why won't it be? The biggest names in European football are in the Champions League draw due on Friday, with Celtic proudly alongside them as they continue to lead the way in Europe for Scottish football, following the dramatic and thrilling victory over Shakhter Karagandy at Celtic Park. The match might not have been too much important to most of the football world, but having achieved the impossible last night brought a huge feeling of relief and pride to the Scottish club. Goals from Kris Commons, Georgios Samaras and James Forrest ensured another memorable European night at Paradise as Neil Lennon´s men overturned the 2-0 first-leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate.

After last week's 2-0 win over Celtic,  Shakhter Karagandy coach proclaimed that Celtic are all but out of the Champions League. But the Hoops' manager Neil Lennon and his team had somewhat different plans. He claimed : "Their confidence is dangerous, but this is a two match tie, and it is disrespectful to my team. I don't need to motivate my players for tomorrow night, but if they [Shakhter] want to continue the way they are doing then that's fine by me. Our home record in Europe has been fantastic and that's down to good teams on the pitch, and the noise and atmosphere."

And that exactly what happened. Celtic's home record has been inexplicably excellent over the last decade or so, thanks to the quality of players on the pitch and moreover, the noise and atmosphere that the supporters in the stadium make. The atmosphere was typically intimidating at the Celtic Park and the players pumped up. The team showed patience inspite of the two goal deficit from the first leg, and had to wait till just before half time to peg a wonderful goal through Kris Cammons, who was excellent throughout the match and dictated the pace of the game in midfield. The team dominated major portions of the game and looked particularly dangerous from the left-side of their attack. Subsequent goals from Georgios Samaras in 48th minute and the final one from James Forrest in stoppage time, which sent Celtic Park bonkers as Neil Lennon went on a celebratory run down the touchline, and sealed an aggregate 3-2 victory for Celtic, hence confirming a berth in the Champions League Group Stages. It was much of a moral victory as well.

James Forrest celebrates his winner against Karagandy

Celtic can now look forward to tonight´s draw in Monaco where they will discover what opposition they face in the group stages. The coming months are going to be another adventure for the Glasgow based club, who can have high expectations after the strong performances they put at the Cha
mpions League stage last year, including a victory over Barcelona in the League stages. As the goalscorer Cammons put it, "It´s an exciting few months ahead for Celtic. There´s nothing better than Champions League nights here and to be a part of it again, for the second year on the spin is just brilliant. It´s magical."

Well, its not only the Scots, but the whole footballing world including myself, who'll be waiting for the Champions League draw tonight. Lets hope we get another exciting Group of Death this time around ;-)