‘We’ve beaten world’s best’
Goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt secured a famous Champions League victory, leaving Lennon understandably elated.
“It’s right up there, one of the proudest nights in my career,’’ he said. “It was a monumental effort from all those players and on the (125th) anniversary of club, it’s a very special occasion.
“I wanted them to do themselves justice and they’ve even surpassed that, they’ve beaten the best club in the world. You try to weather the storm, you know it’s coming and there’s not a lot you can do.
“Then young Tony comes on, gives us new lease of life and scores a great second goal, and he’ll go down in history now.”
The result leaves Lennon’s side just two points behind last night’s opponents in second place in the group, and three ahead of third-placed Benfica. And Lennon said: “It gives us a great chance (of qualifying).
“Benfica beat Spartak (Moscow) so they’re still on our tails, we’ve got to go to Benfica now and raise our game again. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it — I just want to enjoy the night.”
Reflecting on his match-winning goal, 18-year-old Watt said: “It’ll take a couple of hours to sink in. I just saw (Victor) Valdes, I thought to put it to the side of him and it might go in.
“It’s probably the best moment of my life, I’ll look back at it when I’m older and think ‘We’ve just beaten Barcelona in the Champions League’ — there’s nothing better.”
Fraser Forster made a string of fine saves to thwart Barca before finally being beaten by Lionel Messi for a late consolation.
He said: “It’s tremendous, I don’t think words can describe it. We put in so much effort at the Nou Camp and couldn’t see it through, and tonight we’ve seen it through. Everyone was tremendous, everyone played their part tonight.’’
Wanyama was equally elated adding, “This is unbelievable..’’
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