Rodgers baffled after being asked to compare Messi with Loch Ness Monster

Reports have suggested City, now coached by former Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, are ready to make a move for Messi.

The 29-year-old forward’s absence was felt in a 0-0 La Liga draw at home to nine-man Malaga on Saturday, a match he missed due to illness.

“First goal we’re disappointed with”.

Barcelona have had no such qualms in Group C, and the Spanish side know that a mere point this week will see them qualify for the next stage of the competiton.

Barcelona have been accused of being too dependent on Lionel Messi in recent weeks, but he hit back at the idea his side struggle to be at their best without him.

“It wasn’t the best conditions to assess whether he is ready to play, but Leo is always ready to play”.

“We are all aware of how good the nights at Celtic Park have been and we will be desperate to try and give them that again next season”.

Barcelona’s victory, combined with Borussia Monchengladbach’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, ensured the final group placings are decided with one match to play.

“It’s going to be a different game”, the Spaniard said.

“It was quite a hard game and we expected Celtic to come out and make it difficult”, he said. The Scots have found the net in all but one of their last 13 games and the [1.96] on offer for both teams to score looks decent value.

The former Swansea City and Liverpool boss laughed as he said: “That’s the worst question I’ve probably been asked. It will be nothing like the game that has gone before”.

The Brazilian was first to burst into the Celtic box and teed up Messi with a back-heel and the Argentine’s deflected shot had Craig Gordon scrambling across his line before it was cleared.

“I’ll take away this shirt, get my teammates to sign it and then hang it on the wall”.

Celtic have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 Champions League games, their longest run without a shut-out in the competition.

“The important thing is that we get as many titles as possible”.