Champions League: Wednesday September 18th

Juventus 3

Celtic 2

1:0 Trezeguet (43); 2:0 Trezeguet (55); 2:1 Petrov (67); 2:2 Larsson (85 pen); 3:2 Amoruso (90 pen)

Att: 39,945

ref: Helmut Krug (Germany)

Celtic: Douglas; Balde, Mjallby, Valgaeren; Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson (Petta 60); Sutton, Larsson

In the big boys playground at last, with a Juve team on a high and bolstered by the re-appearance of Edgar Davids. The Scottish hacks were salivating at the thought of a monumental humping for Celtic, having witnessed Watty Smith's Euro Wannabes sink to successive humpings by the Old lady of Turin. No joy for them then and no respect for the dead, as the home support barracked the silence for the victims of the WTC, a feature casually ignored by the hacks.

Given the pedigree of the opposition the Tic had to weather an inevitable early storm,. Unlike their predecessors from Grand Lodge Govan, however, the Hoops settled and began to strut their stuff, with Agathe causing consternation amongst Europe's elite and Lennon, Lambert and Petrov shining in midfield.

It was a bit of a kick in the clinks then to go down a goal each side of the break, as Juve showed their class and Valgaeren and Mjallby were left looking a little leaden.

Cue Bobby Petta and a Juve collapse as the Italians failed to cope with his mazy runs, creating space for Larsson and Sutton.

Petrov soon pulled one back before Davids was belatedly red carded as Celtic began to run Juve ragged. Agathe squandered a gift to level it before Larson converted a penalty in 87 minutes after Sutton was downed in the box.

This was ecstasy. It's the Stadio del Alpi and we've the home side on the ropes after being two down and with a chance to win the game. It was too good to be true. In a scenario only conceivable within the ranks of Grand Lodge Alpina P1, germanic M.I.B Helmut Krug (I restrain myself from using the H word) spots Amoruso (the irony in the name even) trip in the box and awards a spot kick. Juve convert it and dodgey hand shakes are dished out all round.

Even then the Tic swept forward on a tide of just vengeance and managed to get another shot blocked on Buffon's line before the whistle.

The result was a disgrace. I would have settled for this before the start, but seeing how we played it was a moral victory in defeat and all Europe was taking notice. Better times look assured as Celtic have proven that they are easily a match for Europe's best.. No failures in a team of heroes. I relish the return leg.