Celtic eye more European nights at Parkhead

By FOX Sports staff

It was a night where legends were born.

An evening which created a significant footnote in Celtic's long and storied history. On November, 2012 Neil Lennon's Celtic recorded the most famous of 2-1 wins at Celtic Park over the mighty Barcelona - the best club in world football according to popular opinion.

Victor Wanyama put the Hoops into the half-time lead before teenage striker Tony Watt came off the bench to double their lead with seven minutes remaining. Not even an effort from Lionel Messi could prevent Celtic from getting the points they needed to help them navigate past the UEFA Champions League group stage (Group G) a month later.

The greatest night in Celtic's history?

Don't write it as such yet.

Any team can manufacture a one-off result in football. A bad bounce here, a poor refereeing call there, and the bigger teams can struggle to turn possession into goals. This is exactly what makes the UEFA Champions League format so exciting.

After the group stages are over - the real test can begin.

There's something riveting about knockout football played over two legs where goals can count double depending on whether you're the home team or playing away.

It separates the men from the boys.

If Celtic are thinking about getting past Italian champions Juventus to the quarter-finals, they'll need to muster up all the courage they showed against Barcelona in November - and then double it.

If Celtic progress past Juventus - this would be an even greater achievement than Barcelona.

They say the cream always rises to the top and Juve certainly are the good stuff in Italian football.

Managed by the shrewd Antonio Conte, Juve are also driven by a midfield force containing the superb Andrea Pirlo and supported by Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal.

After a sluggish start to group stage, Juve racked up three straight wins to finish top of Group E ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk and holders Chelsea, who were eliminated from the competition as a result.

Celtic are the flagship club at the moment for Scottish football given Rangers' financial demise and recent demotion from the nation's top flight. So much so that even Sir Alex Ferguson - a Rangers man but also a proud Scot - has been happy to lend some advice to Neil Lennon as he prepares for the biggest test in his short managerial career.

Celtic are flying high in the Scottish Premier League after 25 games as they sit a massive 18 points clear of their closest rivals Inverness and Motherwell - not exactly Inter Milan or AC Milan.

Scottish football may pale in comparison to Italian football but Juve coach Conte must be wary of his players underestimating Celtic on Tuesday in Glasgow. Celtic's home form in the group stage of this season's Champions League is nothing to scoff at following victories over Barcelona and Spartak Moscow.

"If anyone has underestimated Celtic, it has certainly not been us. We have great respect for them," the 43-year-old Italian said.

"We have followed Celtic very closely and they were very strong against Spartak, Benfica and Barcelona and even before that in the qualifiers.

"They are a very good team. To beat Barcelona here and to go close in the Nou Camp is proof of that.

"We are going to have to be very careful tomorrow [Tuesday] night."

The return leg is set for the 6th of March in Turin.

Key Players

Scott Brown is the heartbeat of Neil Lennon's Celtic but against Juventus at Celtic Park it could be his striker Gary Hooper who ultimately proves to be the difference maker. The forward is a decent finisher and his speed and movement into space will trouble a Juventus defence which has kept few clean sheets in 2013.

Celtic will also be desperate to have Georgios Samaras and Efe Ambrose available for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus.

The Greece striker is battling to recover from a hamstring injury while Ambrose has only just arrived back from international duty with Nigeria from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Samaras's height will add a different dimension for Lennon to toy with depending on how the game is poised. As for Ambrose, it will be crucial for Celtic to have him suited up and ready to play. The defender has been excellent for the Hoops and his services will be required if Celtic are to get a result on Tuesday.

Similarly, Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster will need to bring his A-game if Lennon's side are to stand a chance against Juventus over two legs. Should Forster, who had a blinder in Celtic's 2-1win over Barcelona, stop the Italians from scoring at Parkhead, it gives the Hoops something to work with in the second leg.

Juve are formidable at home meaning the best Celtic can probably hope for there is a score draw.

Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal does not get nearly enough the plaudits for the club's return to the biggest stage in European football. Most of the compliments directed at Juve almost often find their way to his team-mate Andrea Pirlo, which is understandable given the Italian's ability to inspire with the football.

However, the 25-year-old's warrior-like attributes will be key for the Italians in the hostile atmosphere at Celtic Park and the Chile international's return of three goals and two assists from the group stage proves he is a difficult proposition for teams to handle.

Pirlo, of course, will still be the main player Celtic need to worry about. His vision and ability to control the game even from deep positions is second to none. Stopping the Italian will be a difficult task for Celtic and Scotland midfielder Scott Brown who has not enjoyed much success against the veteran in games against AC Milan (Pirlo's previous club) and Italy.

And finally, Juve have another veteran in Nicolas Anelka, who the home side need to be aware of. The highly experienced Frenchman won the competition with Real Madrid back in 2000 and is yet to make his debut for Juve after joining from Shanghai Shenhua on a six-month deal.

Recent form
Celtic: WLWLW
Juventus: WWWDD

Other things to consider

- Celtic have never reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup in the Champions League era.

- Antonio Conte's men were unbeaten in the group stage this season.

- Celtic beat Juventus 4-3 in Glasgow in the UEFA Champions League group stage back in 2001. They lost the other match 3-2 in Italy.

- Celtic manager Neil Lennon and his assistant Johan Mjallby played in both those 2001 games while Gianluigi Buffon started in Turin and was on the bench in Glasgow.

- Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has faced Celtic on five occasions with former club AC Milan, including both legs of the 2006/07 round of 16 tie.

- Celtic's 19 games against Italian sides have ended W5 D7 L7 (W4 D4 L1 in Glasgow).

Stats courtesy of UEFA.com.