IT HAS taken Celtic almost SIXTY-FOUR years of competing in Europe before managing to achieve a triumph in Germany.

Jimmy McGrory’s team kicked off the club’s rollercoaster crusade at this level with a 4-2 loss to Valencia in Spain in the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup on October 24 1962.

With a European Cup victory claimed in Lisbon in 1967 and a UEFA Cup Final extra-time loss in Seville in 2003 along the way, it would be fair to say it has been an eventful journey through the decades for the Hoops.

If there is such a thing as glorious failure, Martin O’Neill’s side experienced that with their courageous 1-0 success over VfB Stuttgart to go some way to restoring a modicum of pride following the dismal 4-1 loss first leg loss in Glasgow.

The European adventure climaxed with Luke McCowan scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the encounter in 29 seconds which led to the manager and players being applauded off the pitch by the travelling support.

In the immediate aftermath of a gruelling contest, a thrilled O’Neill drew breath and said: “I’ve been delighted with the team, absolutely delighted.

“Last week, the fourth goal...