Charlie Mulgrew shared fascinating behind-the-scenes details from what many regard as the most memorable night of his Celtic career. In November 2012, Neil Lennon’s side hosted Barcelona in a Champions League clash at Celtic Park, just weeks after a narrow 2-1 defeat in the Nou Camp.

Fraser Forster had been in sensational form in Spain, earning him the nickname “La Gran Muralla” (The Great Wall) from the Spanish media. But despite his heroics, few expected much from Celtic when the legendary Barcelona, led by Lionel Messi, rolled into the east end of Glasgow.

This Barca team was at their peak, dominating possession and quickly dismantling most sides. Yet, Lennon’s men somehow pulled off one of the greatest nights in the club’s European history.

The Neil Lennon Tactical Masterclass

Speaking on the Under The Cosh podcast, Mulgrew lifted the lid on the remarkable effort that went into keeping Barcelona at bay. “I played left wing that night,” he recalled. “I did 14.5km—just blocking the inside, making them go wide, then doubling up with the full-back, then running inside. I could have worn spikes! I hardly touched the ball, and Messi did 6.5km!”

It’s a staggering contrast: Mulgrew, a defensive workhorse on the night, covered over twice the ground Messi did, as Celtic somehow stifled the best player in the world. Mulgrew continued: “We had the Opta stats, and I remember looking at them thinking, ‘It’s mental’. Barcelona had 89% possession!”

Celtic’s Set-Pieces

Despite spending most of the match pinned in their own half, Celtic took their chances when they came. One moment, in particular, stood out for Mulgrew. “I remember us getting a corner, and I thought, ‘We’re not going to get a corner here; we can’t get out of our own half!’ But it was one of the things we’d worked on.”

And it paid off. From that corner, Victor Wanyama rose above the Barcelona defence to head Celtic into a shock lead. Later, a teenage Tony Watt sealed the victory with a memorable goal to make it 2-0 before Messi pulled one back in stoppage time. But by then, Celtic Park was already rocking, and the Hoops held on for a famous 2-1 win.

The Aftermath

That victory over Barcelona remains one of the BIGGEST moments in Celtic’s European history. The bhoys qualified for the knockout stages of what is now the old format of the competition. Celtic’s run ended in the last 16 against a less-than-sporting Juventus side. However, that night at Celtic Park continues to be discussed as a shining example of determination, discipline, and belief—qualities that Mulgrew and his teammates embodied to pull off the impossible.

It’s a side of football many believe Celtic need to show again to really get some results in Europe. Playing so openly for nearly a decade has cost us dear.