Celtic v Juventus build-up: four classic Hoops victories over Italian opposition

SPL title holders Celtic face Serie A champions Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie and the Hoops will be hoping to earn another famous victory against Italian opposition. talkSPORT look at some of Celtic's great European wins over calcio ...

Celtic 2-1 AC Milan (2007/08 Champions League group stage)
Gordon Strachan's Celtic had suffered heartache against Milan in early 2007, when the Bhoys managed to keep a clean sheet against the Rossoneri in the first leg of their last 16 Champions League tie, only to be knocked out by a Kaka extra-time winner in Italy. The Scots were drawn with Milan in the following season's group stage and, with revenge on their mind, produced a performance Celtic supporters will never forget. After a nervy first half, Celtic came out all guns blazing and were rewarded with a Stephen McManus opener from a corner in the 62^nd minute. Milan responded with a Kaka leveller soon after, but Strachan's gung-ho approach in the dying minutes produced a famous finish, with Scott McDonald firing home the winner. Celtic would eventually progress from the group stage for a second year in a row, something no Scottish team has achieved since.

Celtic 2-1 Internazionale (1967 European Cup final)
The victory that put Celtic on the European map, Jock Stein's Lisbon Lions put Helenio Herrera'a Inter to the sword, becoming the first team in Northern Europe to win the European Cup. The absence of Inter playmaker Luis Suarez certainly helped, but Stein's daring use of full-backs Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig in attack, in order to help break down Herrera's stubborn 'Catenaccio' defensive tactics, proved inspired. Both Gemmell and Craig were involved in Celtic's first goal, proving Stein's gamble was worthwhile, and by the time Celtic scored the winner in the 84^th minute, there was little doubt who the better side was. Celtic brought an end to an era of continental dominance from the team nicknamed 'La Grande Inter', and Jock Stein took his place in the pantheon of great managers.

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Celtic 3-0 Fiorentina (1970 European Cup quarter-final)
After failing to push on from their European success in 1967, Celtic looked like they would finally do so in 1970, reaching the final of the competition against Feyenoord. The Hoops had to chalk up another famous victory over Italian opposition en route, this time against reigning Italian champions Fiorentina. Bruno Pesaola, the manager of the Italian side, insulted Celtic in the build-up to the game, claiming the team from Florence were fair more technical than their opponents, but in the end it was the men from Glasgow who proved the classier outfit. Bertie Auld opened the scoring with a drive from distance on the 30^th minute, while the veteran made the second goal, this time forcing an own goal with a cross that was poorly attacked by Fiorentina defender Francesco Carpenetti. Auld capped off a man of the match display by playing a part in Celtic's third, crossing for Harry Hood, who flicked the ball on to Willie Wallace to score. After the game, Pesaola was forced to revise his opinion, admitting that "Auld was the master tonight".

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Celtic 4-3 Juventus (2001/2002 Champions League group stage)
Juventus 'keeper Gianluigi Buffon has a good reason to be wary of Celtic at Parkhead. The keeper was on the bench for the Old Lady in a 4-3 defeat away to the Hoops in 2001, with Celtic manager Neil Lennon playing for the home side. Celtic approached the match desperate for revenge, after the Scots slumped to a 3-2 defeat in Turin, thanks to a controversial Juventus penalty in the dying minutes (see Martin O'Neill's memorable rant, here). At Parkhead, Alessandro Del Piero opened the scoring with a brilliant free kick, but Joos Valgaeren levelled soon after, and veteran midfielder Lubo Moravcik began to pull the strings for the Hoops. Juventus scored two more, with David Trezeguet completing a brace, but a Chris Sutton double and a Henrik Larsson penalty ensured the home side took the spoils, though ultimately failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League.

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