Deep in the bowels of The Linc stadium in Philadelphia, Neil Lennon is writing names on a whiteboard.
Sergio Ramos and Sami Khedira kicked it off. But they keep coming. Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain. He even jots down the subs who include Iker Casillas, Rafa Varane, Angel di Maria, Alvaro Morata, Mesut Ozil – and Karim Benzema. When he finally gets to the end, almost in unison, the entire Celtic squad burst out LAUGHING.
It’s the summer of 2012 and they’re on a pre-season tour of America. More than 3000 miles away, Old Firm rivals Rangers have drawn 2-2 with Peterhead in their first game in Scotland’s bottom tier. Meanwhile, Lennon’s team are facing Real Madrid ’s Galacticos in a friendly in front of 40,000 fans. It’s the last time the clubs met. And for one former Celtic player in particular, he’ll never forget it. The Hoops lost 2-0, courtesy of goals from Jose Callejon and Benzema.
