Bonner: Celts must stop the ‘greatest’

As Celtic prepare for tonight’s formidable Champions League test against Barcelona, Parkhead old boy Packie Bonner reckons they’ll have to contend with, not just the best player in the world, but the greatest player there’s ever been.

Asked how highly he would rate Lionel Messi in the pantheon, the legendary Irish goalkeeper doesn’t miss a beat with his reply.

“Top. Of all time. Absolutely. There’s no question. You can’t stop him. You look at his ability and his goal-scoring record but you also look at the way he defends. He’ll go and close people down. He’s up there, I think, above anyone I’ve seen. He’s sustained it now at that standard for quite a long time.”