Former Celtic player responds to Lionel Messi’s comments

There are just some games that become part of folklore. It is safe to say that Celtic’s 2-1 win over the legendary Barcelona team back in 2012 is certainly one such match which is talked about and fondly remembered to this day, more than a decade later. It was certainly one of the most special nights that Parkhead has ever witnessed.

Not many people would have given Celtic a chance heading into the game. And on that occasion, they had only 11 per cent possession of the ball as well. Yet, they were good enough to win 2-1 against one of the best teams in the history of the game.

Of course, the goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt will be played forever in highlight reels. But Fraser Forster put in an iconic performance on that night as well. One that perhaps does not get enough mention these days.

So impressive was Forster on the night that even the great Lionel Messi praised him publicly. And even a move to Barcelona was a possibility at one point.

Former Celtic player responds to Lionel Messi’s comments

As reported by talkSPORT, Messi had said:

"“The performance of Fraser Forster against us was talked about for a long time.“There was one game in Scotland when he was not human, it was the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.“When Victor Valdes said that he was leaving Barcelona we even talked about him playing here.”"

Forster was pretty modest in his reply to such high compliments from arguably the greatest footballer ever, as the former Celtic goalkeeper said:

"“It’s nice, isn’t it?”"

Speaking on Spursplay, Forster further went on to add about the match:

"“It’s impossible to put into words.“We’d played them away, I think, two weeks earlier and we lost 2-1 in the last minute and I’d made saves, but the performance we’d put in away from home really carried us into the home one because we knew we’d have the fans with us.“But yeah, it was just one of those nights where everything, you know.“You make a couple of saves early and you’re like, come on, bring it on.“That team as well, if you don’t enjoy playing those games, do you know what I mean?“But the noise that night as well – obviously we ended up going 2-0 up and they scored right at the end but it was just, kind of, unbelievable.“It was just one of those days when you’re in the zone and everything goes your way. You’re seeing the ball like it’s a gym ball and it’s just amazing.“I think that after that night I didn’t sleep after the game, it was just amazing.“I’m obviously fortunate to have played in those types of games and like I said before, half of my memories in that game are the atmosphere and the fans and lots of it is that rather than that save or this save.“It was just – the occasion.”"

Forster was a player capable of putting in those unbelievable performances from time to time. Even in his second spell at Celtic, on loan from Southampton, he was unbelievable in the Scottish League Cup final.

It was a game that the Rangers dominated for the most part but simply were not able to find a way past Forster. Ultimately, Celtic won through a goal from Christopher Jullien.

Forster currently finds himself at Tottenham Hotspur. He is 35 years of age and the cover option to Guglielmo Vicario.