Messi double puts Barca into last 16

The loss ensured Celtic will finish last in the group, but they are odds on to qualify for the Champions League again next season and Rodgers insists they will be better prepared.

Brendan Rodgers was yesterday asked if it was more hard to believe if the Loch Ness monster exists, or Lionel Messi. He simply laughed off the question, but the smile was very much rubbed off his face as the little Argentinian scored both goals at Park Head.

What Messi means for Barcelona is easy to see just by looking at numbers, even without considering the inspirational things he can do on the field.

Lionel Messi stepped up to the spot and made it 20 goals in 18 appearances for club and country.

The win, coupled with Manchester City’s draw, clinched the group for Barcelona. Celtic are out completely, no European football for them after Christmas. Certainly Celtic didn’t allow the visitors time to dwell on the ball as they pressed high up the pitch early on.

The Catalan giants have dropped points in four of their 12 matches in La Liga this season to record their worst start to a campaign since 2004.

“Most of the other players are available and back in, with Emilio Izaguirre and Tom Rogic back in training after the worldwide trip and the other guys coming back from injury, like Kieran Tierney, have had more time”.

“It’s a learning curve but we’ve showed quality against a top quality team”.

Arsenal were lucky to eke out a point against Paris Saint-Germain, while Manchester City confirmed their last 16 place thanks to a 1-1 draw against Borussia Monchengladbach. Taking any points from these matches will be quite the accomplishment for Celtic. Gladbach need to win to retain a chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

Failing to top a Champions League group often comes back to bite teams when the competition really gets going in the round of 16.

The pair are both on 11 points while Ludogorets Razgrad and Basel are on two points each after a goalless draw on the night.

The hosts, who secured third place in the group and will go into the Europa League, took a surprise lead through Brazilian Raffael before David Silva equalised on the stroke of halftime.

Group D: FC Rostov 3-2 Bayern Munich; Atletico Madrid 2-0 PSV Eindhoven. Arjen Robben, Arturo Vidal and Javi Martinez are also absent.

“First and foremost the challenge was to get into the Champions League”, he said.

Well, it’s amusing you should ask because here are five reasons Celtic will beat Barcelona. But the Italian side will advance with a win, provided Benfica also win.