Lionel Messi hails ex-Celtic star Fraser Forster

Lionel Messi rues another missed opportunity as Fraser Forster prepares to launch the ball upfield. Picture: Robert Perry

The Argentinian forward, who scored Barcelona’s only goal as Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt gave the Hoops a memorable 2-1 win over the Catalans at Parkhead in 2012, told the Daily Record that Forster’s performance was ‘talked about for a long time’.

He added: “There was one game in Scotland where he was not human, it is the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.”

And the 27-year-old - who has scored 399 goals in 469 matches for Barcelona in all competitions - echoed the sentiments of team-mate Xavi, who last year hailed Celtic Park as one of the best grounds he had played at during a star-studded career.

Messi sees another shot saved by Forster. Picture: Robert Perry

He said at the time: “When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn’t matter how many big games you have played in, walking out into that atmosphere is always intense.”

And Messi added: “The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them. We know we would get a tough game if we drew them in the Champions League, but everybody involved in those Barcelona v Celtic games wants to go and play there again.

“It is the best atmosphere in Europe and we all want to experience that again.”

Celtic’s last match against Barcelona ended in a thumping 6-1 defeat at Camp Nou in December 2013, while the Hoops recorded an aggregate win during their first meeting in the UEFA Cup in the 2003/04 season.