Five talking points ahead of Celtic v Barcelona

By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Nov 2016, 15:25 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2016, 10:26 BST
Could Moussa Dembele be Celtic's hero tonight? Picture: SNSCould Moussa Dembele be Celtic's hero tonight? Picture: SNS
Could Moussa Dembele be Celtic's hero tonight? Picture: SNS

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Celtic take on Barcelona in their Champions League Group C clash at Parkhead on Wednesday night.

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Here, we take a look at five talking points ahead of the Hoops’ latest European contest:

FORM

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Celtic are top of the Ladbrokes Premiership and unbeaten domestically, with a Betfred Cup final against Aberdeen to look forward to at Hampden Park on Sunday. It is still early in the season but Brendan Rodgers’ side look capable of a domestic treble. The Parkhead men have put in some splendid performances under the former Liverpool boss and the 1-0 win at Kilmarnock on Friday night showed a tenacious side to their game. Europe has been quite obviously a more difficult prospect and although they carved out deserved draws at home to Manchester City and away to Borussia Monchengladbach, the Scottish champions will need to reach new levels against the Catalans.

REVENGE MISSION

Celtic were dismantled by Barcelona’s superstars in the Nou Camp when the sides met in September. Lionel Messi helped himself to a hat-trick and Luis Suarez a double with Neymar and Andres Iniesta also notching in the 7-0 thrashing of the shell-shocked visitors, who saw Moussa Dembele’s penalty saved. While anything resembling a reversal of the scoreline cannot be contemplated a Hoops victory is not out of the question. Celtic fans recall with great fondness the 2-1 home win over Barca in the Champions League in 2012 and the 1-0 victory over the Catalans in the UEFA Cup in 2004 so a precedent has been set.