Celtic’s Champions League run has come to an end, but the drama still continues on Europe’s biggest stage.
After Brendan Rodgers’ side bowed out of the playoff stages, the first legs of the round of 16 games took place on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
If the neutrals felt Alphonso Davies’ equalising goal for Bayern Munich to send Celtic crashing out was drama, then Liverpool took it to another level in France’s capital on Wednesday night.
Just like Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, Liverpool are cruising to the English Premier League title and are chasing more glory beyond becoming champions of their country.
For most of the season, they have been used to dominance and securing those big wins, but not for the first-leg of their round of 16 Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool were battered for 89 minutes, including Alisson Becker having to make nine saves, but then, right at the end, substitute Harvey Elliott netted the winner in what was his side’s second shot on target.
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Now, many are not giving PSG any hope of progressing into the quarter-final stages because they have to win at Anfield.
But John Hartson wanted to send a little reminder to everyone.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
John Hartson’s Celtic reminder to PSG as Anfield and Liverpool test awaits in the Champions League
Hartson was one of Celtic’s best forwards of the modern-era and part of that great Martin O’Neill side that, not only dominated on the domestic stage, but came very close to glory in Europe.
One of Hartson’s most famous nights was his goal for Celtic at Anfield in the 2003 UEFA Cup quarter-final.
The two teams had drawn 1-1 at Celtic Park, but the Hoops won the return leg and Hartson responded to a tweet of someone suggesting that the PSG is ‘over’ for the French champions.
‘Apart from Celtic,’ responded Hartson.
The night Celtic silenced Anfield in Europe
Arsene Wenger was previously quoted as saying: ‘Liverpool did not win the league for 30 years. But, in Europe, they do well. Why? Anfield.
‘Home game. This is the most heated stadium in Europe, in a return game, that’s the only place you don’t want to go’.
That’s what Celtic were up against on their way to the 2003 UEFA Cup final – it also needs to be noted that Liverpool would go onto win the Champions League two years later.
Yet, the Hoops silenced the Reds with a performance in Europe that fans today are hoping to see more of in the future.