Messi double guides Barcelona to 2-0 win at Celtic

Lionel Messi insists Barcelona are not dependent on him, despite producing more match-winning goal heroics with a brace in the 2-0 Champions League victory at Celtic on Wednesday.

Aside from that they have had a 3-3 draw with Manchester City, and split their meetings with Borussia Mönchengladbach as one draw and one loss, leaving them on the bottom of their group with just two points to their name.

Moussa Dembele had an opportunity to equalise in the second half, but when Luis Suarez won a penalty moments later at the other end, the home side’s chances of turning things around disappeared.

“It was quite a hard game and we expected Celtic to come out and make it difficult”, said Barcelona manager Luis Enrique. “There is a great atmosphere, a great crowd, and I will tell my players to enjoy it, and if they do then we will get to the next round”.

“He’s a phenomenal player, an incredible player, and he always is hungry to score”.

He also made the race with Cristiano Ronaldo for most Champions League goals of all time more interesting, pulling within three of Ronaldo’s tally of 95.

Luis Enrique says he is pleased with Barcelona’s ability to secure first place in a tough group with one match to spare.

“Getting to this stage is great for us but we want to try and push on as much as we possibly can”, he said.

Asked about the transfer speculation, Dembele said: ‘That is what everyone is saying but I haven’t said that.

“So for them to get to 2-0 – after we’d just missed a chance with a header – was disappointing”.

Neymar was visibly angry with Lustig as they squared up and Celtic supporters were furious to see both players shown bookings for the incident. I think that this time the Catalans win the owners and no home ground, no fans, no help to avoid defeat. In order to get a result against a team at this level you need to bring your A-game.

Barcelona have been accused of being too dependent on Lionel Messi in recent weeks, but he hit back at the idea his side struggle to be at their best without him.