Celtic In Champions League
Artur Boruc - Celtic's hero of the night
It was an intense game from start until the very end. 120 minutes played, with Celtic having many chances to bring the game under wrap - the normally on form Nakamura missing 3 goal scoring opportunities in the second half that you would expect the Japanese mid-fielder to easily tuck away.
Undoubtedly it was goalkeeper Artur Boruc who was the hero of the night. His first crucial save came late into the second half of extra time, Kalynychenko shot was well on target, Boruc's hand being the only thing between the ball and the net and Celtic crashing out of the Champions league.
He again stepped up to plate when the extra time ended still at a 1-1 draw and the decider of who entered into the next stages of Europe's most prestigious competition came down to a penalty shoot-out.
The pressure was insurmountable, with Moscow with the mental advantage - whereas Spartak were happy to keep it to a draw Celtic had pushed until the very last grueling second for a win - not been rewarded with one was a disappointment. Also, the Glasgow side had never won on penalties in any European competition.
But Celtic "Bhoys" did not let this get to them. Gary Caldwell, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski all covered for Celtic, though Shunsuke Nakamura thought he had blown it when his penalty - and Celtic’s second in the pecking order - came back off the bar.
It all came down to Spartak's final shot. One moment to decide fate, that 120 minutes of football couldn't. In the end it eventually went Celtic's way, Boruc making a superb save.
Spartak also had a penalty in normal time, Celtic's missed penalty in extra time, Boruc and Naylor's bust up and Celtic's opening goal and Moscow's equalizer!
The game is most certainly, one of the most memorable to take place the "paradise" - Celtic Park. The reaction of Billy Connolly, who attended the match, summed it all up.
