Celtic - Champions League journey in pictures
- Published
19 September 2012 - Benfica's Brazilian striker Jardel (left) vies with Kris Commons for the ball that Celtic fans are happy to see back in Glasgow - that of the UEFA Champions League
James Forest (49) takes a tumble in the penalty box with nine minutes to go but Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli was not impressed, the game ending goalless
2 October 2012 - Celtic travel to Moscow to face Group G opponents Spartak, including former star Aiden McGeady (right), seen here chasing striker Gary Hooper who goes on to open the scoring after 12 minutes
The Russian side reply twice, but Celtic striker Georgios Samaras (centre) scores the winner in injury time and celebrates with team-mate Kris Commons
23 October 2012 - Celtic's Georgios Samaras (3rd right) wheels away after giving his side a shock opening goal against Barcelona in the Camp Nou
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Celtic keeper Fraser Forster (right) is on stunning form and is seen here denying Barcelona striker Lionel Messi's header towards goal, but can't shut out Andres Iniesta (not pictured) who went on to equalise for the home side just before the break.
Celtic held out for most of the second half, however Barcelona's Jordi Alba (grounded, hidden) taps the ball into the net in the dying seconds of the 94th minute to clinch all three points
07 November 2012 - Two weeks later the Catalans come calling to Celtic Park on the Glasgow side's 125th anniversary, and what a birthday party is was to become for all concerned with the club
20 November 2012 - Celtic travel to face Benfica at the Estadio da Luz but, for this Celtic fan, the temptation of visiting the nearby Estadio Nacional in Lisbon, the site of the club's European Cup final win in 1967, is too great
Celtic's Victor Wanyama (centre) opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading home from a corner, and is seen here snared by the pairing of Barcelona's Lionel Messi (left) and Andres Inesta
Celtic teenager Tony Watt (left) is on the pitch a matter of minutes and runs on to a deep ball from keeper Fraser Forster before finishing with a composure beyond his years to make it two for the hosts, the match ending 2-1 after a consolation goal for Lionel Messi in the 90th minute
Benfica's Ola John (not pictured) opened the scoring after seven minutes but Celtic striker Georgios Samaras (9) equalised with a header on the half-hour mark
But Benfica re-take the lead to win the match 2-1, leaving Celtic's Gary Hooper (left) and Kris Commons dejected, but in the knowledge that if they better Benfica's result in the last match of the group, against Spartak Moscow in Glasgow, they will qualify for the next stage
5 December 2012 - It's make or break for Celtic against Spartak Moscow. With the match locked at 1-1, Marek Suchy makes a clumsy challenge on Celtic attacker Georgios Samaras and, with eight minutes to go, Kris Commons smacks home the penalty off the underside of the bar to put Celtic in front
Benfica draw 0-0 in Barcelona and Celtic hang on to record a 2-1 win over the Russians. The combination of results means that Celtic, despite being fourth seeds, finish in second spot in Group G behind the Catalans, on 10 points from six matches. Celtic fans look forward to the draw for the last 16 on 20 December
20 December 2012 - Celtic go into the draw in Nyon, Switzerland, as one of the unseeded teams. The Scottish champions are paired with Serie A leaders Juventus, who they last played in the Champions League in 2001
Battle of the captains: Scott Brown and Andrea Pirlo exchange words at Celtic Park. Juventus would capitalise on defensive lapses to win the first leg 3-0.
Celtic were unhappy with some of the Juventus marking during the 3-0 defeat
A clinical Juventus side scored three goals to all but shatter Celtic's Champions League dreams
6 March 2013: The Celtic side that started against Juventus in the return tie of the last 16 encounter, looking to overcome a three goal deficit
However the Glasgow side lose a further two goals but leave the pitch applauding their travelling fans for supporting them through their European journey
- Published31 December 2012