[Official TC Thread] Celtic vs Manchester City - Wed 28th September - 7:45 - BT Sports 2

AN incredible night of drama, goals and passion at Celtic Park saw the Hoops share the spoils by Manchester City as the teams played out a sensational six-goal thriller in the UEFA Champions League.
With a display of relentless energy and excellent composure in front of goal, Celtic took the lead three times in the game, twice in the first-half and once less than a minute into the second-half, but they were pegged back every time by Pep Guardiola’s City side, who failed to win for the first time under their Catalan manager.
The plaudits must go to Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys, whose determination, bravery and impressive football, spurred on by a typically vociferous home crowd, gave everyone at Paradise a night to remember, none more so than young Kieran Tierney, who scored Celtic’s second goal on his 50th appearance for the club.
The result now sets the Celts up for a mouthwatering encounter with Borussia Monchengladbach in the next round of games after the Hoops leapfrogged the German side into third place in Group C.
Swirling rain engulfed Celtic Park as the game got underway under the floodlights of Paradise, but it was the Hoops who were quickly smothering their hosts as they pinned City back from the first whistle.
The quick start caught the visitors unaware and a cheap foul given away deep in their own half after just three minutes gave Celtic the chance to open the scoring, which they grabbed with both hands.
Scott Sinclair stood over the set-piece but he checked his run-up to the ball, with the Celts attacking line darting into the box. James Forrest cleverly held his run to stay onside, however, and supplied a deft, half-volleyed cross into the box, which Erik Sviatchenko headed on to the chest of Dembele with the ball then evading Claudio Bravo in the City goal.
Celtic Park erupted and the Bhoys almost went two in front moments later when Kolo Toure swivelled in the box and brought out a fine save from Bravo.
The frantic action spilled from end to end as Tom Rogic saw another Celtic shot blocked, but City soon restored parity after 12 minutes when they profited from a deflected Aleksandar Kolarov shot that found the feet of Fernandinho through a mass of bodies in the Celtic penalty area. The Brazilian midfielder controlled the ball and slotted it calmly past Craig Gordon.
There was seemingly nothing that could hold the Bhoys back, however, and after weathering a brief spell of pressure from Pep Guardiola’s side, the Hoops stormed back into the lead in emphatic fashion.
Nir Bitton broke up a City attack deep in his own half and carried the ball forward, coolly evading a sliding challenge before threading a pass into space for Rogic, who had made the run ahead.
The Australian glided towards the 18-yard line before looking up to find Tierney’s run into the box. His weighted pass for the full-back was perfect for the 19-year-old to hit it first-time and he showed no hesitation in doing so, powering a left-footed shot off the out-stretched foot of Raheem Sterling and past Bravo.
The young full-back raced away in joyous celebration as he toasted his 50th appearance for the Scottish champions with a fine goal.
Celtic were pegged back yet again less than 10 minutes later, however, as a dramatic first-half rampaged on, with Raheem Sterling’s composed turn past Tierney and finish beyond Gordon levelling the tie before the half-hour mark.
However, the Hoops continued to carve out chances, with Rogic in stunning form in the centre of the pitch, helping to create opportunities for his team-mates but the home side couldn’t find the net again before the interval.
Just seconds into the second-half, however, they did score their third goal of the night and it came courtesy of an outstanding piece of skill from Dembele. In their first attack from the restart, Celtic pushed forward down the left, with the quick feet of Bitton freeing up space for Tierney to cross.
The full-back’s centre skimmed through the legs of Kolarov to the waiting Dembele, who knocked the ball up in the air with his left thigh, before spinning back on to it with his right boot in mid-air to curl a shot into the corner of the net.
The strike was just rewards for the energy and passion Celtic had shown from the first minute but their lead failed to last yet again when Nolito equalised on 55 minutes, following up to fire home after Craig Gordon had denied Sergio Aguero to make it 3-3.
Both sets of supporters and players were then afforded a rare moment of respite, as the ratio of goalmouth chances for each side dipped as both teams set up for the final third of the match.
The enthralling football still raged on as the teams fought out an intriguing battle that moved from box-to-box. The final 10 minutes saw the Hoops introduce Patrick Roberts to the action in place of James Forrest, whose tireless running of the right flank encapsulated Celtic’s commitment.
City dominated the final moments of the match, though, as they sought to steal all three points, but as news of Barcelona’s 2-1 advantage over Borussia Monchengladbach filtered through the stands, the Celtic support got to their feet to push the Bhoys over the line and help them secure a vital and thoroughly deserved point to move them up to third place in the group.


Man of the Match: Moussa Dembele

 

Best Celtic team performance since the 3-3 against Internationale.

 

As did I mate. It was clearly a noise up.

 

I love big Chris Sutton ..........

 

no problem.

 

I know we're not supposed to post comments from other forums, but the City fans have been (beyond the usual internet idiots you'd expect) fair and understanding of the result. Comment of the night:

:smiley-laughing002:

 

Knew we'd get something from the game tonight. We also play well against teams whose history doesn't go back any further than 2012.

 

Leading 3 times not to win normally would be raging. This is my only exception #HH

 

430k I think

 

Gary Lineker's send-off was rather nice,

"It's been one of those special nights that only Celtic Park can deliver."

 

That was first rate :smiley-laughing002:

 

Am gonnae greet. Can't believe I had to miss this

 

Massive respect paid from Pep in his post match interview.

Relaying our record against the top teams in Europe at Paradise.

 

:smiley-laughing002: fair play to that man.

 

* bless

proud is no the word Hail Hail

 

wow

 

it was a LOT better than that mate!!

 

Tierney would be my m.o.t.m give that man a 15 year contract .great performance getting that level in every game should be the target the players have proved they are capable .if we keep that up we should be aiming to get out of this group

 

Had that feeling of dread near the end when i thought they were going to steal it, then
seeing craig pull of that save was up there with the goals

 

I can't believe I am reading people having a go at ANY Celtic player after that...

lol