Neil Lennon is looking for Celtic to get the respect he thinks they deserve after last night's dramatic last minute goal secured a Champions League Group 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow away from home. Georgios Samara was on hand to make sure his header delivered Celtic's first win away in the group stages of European football's elite club competition. Things started well for the visitors when Gary Hooper effort in 12th minute found the net. However, the game swung the other way when Emmanuel Emenike scored twice for the Russian club, on either side of the break. Hooper was involved again on the hour mark when Spartak defender Juan Insaurralde was sent off for preventing the striker going clean through on goal. A deflection off Spartak captain Dmitri Kombarov from substitute James Forrest shot took the scores to level pegging. It was left to the dying seconds for the result to be decides when Samaras headed in an Emilio Izaguiire cross. Celtic are now in second place in Group G with four points from two games ahead of their double-header against Barcelona, who top the group with maximum points from their first two fixtures after beating Benfica 2-0 on last night. Lennon was proud of his team's performance but was not about to get carried away with regards his side's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. He said: "I think people underestimate Celtic. I don't think we get the respect we deserve but maybe that performance might change a few attitudes We just have to play Barcelona home and away...But it was a huge step for the club. It was our first away win in the Champions League so we have broken a record. It is fantastic but there is a lot of football to be played in the group. We have two home games and Benfica and Barcelona away so it is still an open group for second place as far as I am concerned." Meanwhile, described as "world class" by Lennon, Hooper will have to concentrate and focus on league action to help bring himself back down to earth. The striker scored his seventh goal in four games which also inspired his manager to reiterate his belief that he should be on the radar of England manager Roy Hodgson. Hooper tried hard to digest Lennon's praise as he looked towards Sunday's game against Hearts. He said: "It is amazing. After the performance and the gaffer saying that, it feels really good. I have to try to take myself down and go again on Sunday. I want to play for England but is it not my decision, it is out of my hands, I have to keep doing it on the field, like I did last night, and against Raith and Motherwell recently and hopefully on Sunday and let them (England) decide."
Source: FOOTYMAD
