SOCCER/Celtic 1 Barcelona 3: Henrik Larsson returned to Glasgow last night and scored a goal he could hardly bear to celebrate. The strike helped eclipse a stirring second-half comeback by Celtic in which Larsson's former partner Chris Sutton had cancelled out Deco's early goal writes Graham Clark at Parkhead.
This, of course, was meant to be all about Larsson coming back to the stadium he graced for so long and the Swede, predictably, received a rapturous reception from the fans who worshipped him during his stay in Scotland.
The sting in the tail after that, though, came with the announcement that he had to be content with a place on the bench at the start. Further irony was provided with the news that Sutton, with whom he shared many memorable Celtic moments, was also among the substitutes as he made his first step back from a hamstring injury.
But Parkhead was no place for anyone less than 100 per cent fit - and just as committed. After a 32-minute delay to kick-off because of congestion outside the ground, both teams seemed anxious to get on with it. In the case of John Hartson, far too anxious for the big striker was booked just 70 seconds into the action as he scythed down Rafael Marquez.
That was followed by a full-blooded Alan Thompson challenge that flattened Gio van Bronckhorst which left the former Rangers player receiving brief treatment before continuing.
It was a frenetic opening from the home team but, if the intention was to upset the Spaniards' rhythm, it failed to work for Barca created three excellent chances in the first 15 minutes.
First David Marshall just beat Juliano Belletti in a race for a loose ball, then Ronaldinho fired wide and finally the young goalkeeper brilliantly blocked a van Bronckhorst effort after Samuel Eto'o set up the chance.
At that stage Celtic simply could not live with Barcelona so it was no surprise when the La Liga team took the lead after 20 minutes even though the damage was somewhat self-inflicted.
There was no particular danger when Didier Agathe gave the ball away but it was pounced on by Deco who gave it to Ronaldinho before receiving it back and sending a drive past Marshall.
It was a desperately naive goal to lose yet it might have been followed immediately by another as the Parkhead side, in some disarray, allowed Barca to pile forward once more and they were relieved to see Xavi finally shoot over. It was going horribly wrong for Celtic and that was amply illustrated by a booking for Juninho for dissent after 27 minutes.
At times the Spaniards looked mesmeric. They played the ball around Parkhead as if they owned the place. Although Marquez was shown the game's third yellow card for a foul on Henri Camara, the visitors might have scored two more before the interval as Marshall saved brilliantly from Ludovic Giuly and then watched gratefully as Bobo Balde produced a saving tackle to deny the former Monaco player.
It was clear Celtic needed to change things around at half-time and Martin O'Neill's answer was to replace Juninho with Sutton. Initially it made little difference and Barcelona continued to dominate - but how that all changed.
This game, though, should have been put beyond Celtic after 54 minutes for Barca then missed a glorious chance. Ronaldinho's fine through ball saw Giuly and Jackie McNamara give chase and as the striker moved clear he was unceremoniously brought down.
A booking for the Celtic captain was followed by a penalty but Ronaldinho's effort was brilliantly parried clear by Marshall, who then saved equally spectacularly from Marquez.
They were glorious opportunities and after 59 minutes Celtic made the Spaniards pay for their wastefulness.
In a rare attack Camara raced clear down the right before delivering a cross that beat Marquez but not Sutton who slid his close-range shot high into the net.
The penalty save and the equaliser breathed new life into Celtic as the 58,589 fans bayed for more momentum. This was broken only by changes as Oleguer and Larsson replaced Marquez and Ronaldinho and Joos Valgaeren went on for Hartson for the home team. Parkhead was rocking by then - and so were the visitors for a time.
CELTIC: Marshall, Agathe, Balde, Varga, McNamara (Sylla 80), Petrov, Lennon, Thompson, Juninho Paulista (Sutton 45), Hartson (Valgaeren 63), Camara. Subs Not Used: Douglas, Pearson, Lambert, McGeady. Booked: Hartson, Juninho Paulista, McNamara. Goal: Sutton 59.
BARCELONA: Valdes, Belletti, Puyol, Marquez (Oleguer 62), van Bronckhorst, Deco, Gerard, Xavi, Giuly, Eto'o (Iniesta 74), Ronaldinho (Larsson 62). Subs Not Used: Ruben Martinez, Sylvinho, Gabri, Fernando. Booked: Marquez. Goals: Deco 20, Giuly 78, Larsson 82.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
