NEIL LENNON today invited his players to write their name in the history books by scoring a winning goal against Barcelona.

The Celtic boss watched Tony Watt do precisely that last year as the Hoops downed the La Liga giants 2-1 at Parkhead.

The withdrawal from tomorrow's re-match of Lionel Messi, who damaged a hamstring after opening the scoring in Barca's 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday - means none of the men on the score sheet last November - Victor Wanyama got Celtic's opener - will be on the field this time.

But while the absence of Messi is a huge blow to Barca, Lennon has thrown down the gauntlet to one of his own Bhoys to be the headline maker.

He said: "Tony will forever be remembered for that goal.

"I'm hoping someone else will be remembered tomorrow night for the same thing. But I also look at my goalkeeper in that game last year, and at my back four.

"They were Trojans, and the midfield also played very well. They will have to play at that level again.

"Then I have Georgios Samaras, who can be anything on a big night.

"That performance and hat-trick against Kilmarnock on Saturday will have done him the world of good.

"The point is we can't afford any weaknesses tomorrow. It needs to be a real unit, as it was when we won last year."

The withdrawal of Messi will be a disappointment to fans who wanted to see the world's best player in action.

But it can only serve as a boost to the Hoops players who Lennon insisted were already desperate to get something from the game after playing so well against AC Milan, but still leaving the San Siro with nothing.

"I think they're all looking forward to it," said the manager.

"There is going to be a little bit of tension, which is only natural.

"But once they get out there and hear the roar of the crowd, they become different animals."

Leading the way will be Scott Brown, who missed last year's win over Barca through injury.

"Scott is just playing so well, and is so consistent," said Lennon. "He carries the others in the team at times.

"That's what captains do, and that's why he's the captain of this club.

"We have a core with experience of international football, rather than Champions League football.

"For the majority of them, last year was there first time in the group stage.

"They have had a look at it now, and they know they can play at this level.

"Looking at that performance in Milan, they also know they can play well against the best teams home or away.

"So, there's no reason why we can't make a game of it again tomorrow."