For a birthday to remember I don’t think I could have written my own script any better. This really was one of the great nights at Parkhead.

It began with a party in Bar 67 with the anderlecht fans and the celts swapping songs, stories, pints and nearly women! Once inside the ground the atmosphere was building, not one of tension though, one of expectation of the pummelling these cocky Belgians were about to receive.

O’Neill changed to a 4-4-2 formation employing Agathe at right back allowing Miller to start at right midfield – tactical genius as it turned out to be. It was easy to tell the players were right up for the game from the off, spurred on by the noise from the stands. And it didn’t take long for the bhoys to take the lead, with a well-directed header by Henrik, surprisingly his first of the campaign. We had barely sat down again when Hartson planted a lovely cushioned header for young Miller to lash home with his left peg on 17 minutes. This had the ground in ectasy and Daniel Sweeney down a row and nearly down a couple of teeth! Sutton then added a diving header for the third with only 30 minutes on the clock and fireworks started going off in the Glasgow skyline. You could have sworn they were for the party at parkhead and not for bonfire night! Celtic kept pushing and inspired by Miller it could have 4 or 5 by half time.

In the second half we saw a different display from celtic, one of professionalism where players kept the ball excellently and worked hard for each other. This was working fine until Aruna won a dubious penalty against Balde when it appeared he tripped over his own heels. Hedman twice saved well but Aruna reached the rebound to score at the third attempt and set up a nervy ending. This flattered Anderlecht who in truth were more than a little overawed by the entire occasion. Liam Miller left the scene to a standing ovation late on and no more this impressive young Irishman deserved.