There is always great anticipation with a Cham- pions League draw and you know there is always going to be an element of glamour to the competition, no matter who you get.

But Barcelona are perhaps the greatest team in the world at the minute. Lionel Messi and Co are a fantastic attraction and no-one will be more thrilled to have seen their name come out of the hat than Neil Lennon and his players.

It is a cracking draw and the players will be delighted at the chance to go out and test themselves against a team of such outstanding quality.

Equally, the Celtic fans will be delighted with the draw because it brings the excitement of Europe to their doorstep right up until Christmas at least.

It also renders the events of the summer, where Celtic are concerned, relatively insignificant. Put it this way, from a financial point of view, Celtic would far rather be in the Champions League and have no Rangers in the SPL than have Rangers in the SPL with them but no prospect of Champions League football. Financially, it is massive.

Spartak Moscow might not carry the same kind of allure, but there is an edge to that one, too. Aiden McGeady will be back at Celtic, but even aside from that little added spice, the Russians have plenty of money and have been able to attract some excellent players. They will be just as difficult to beat as Barcelona.

Like Barca, Celtic and Benfica have already met in the Champions League. Benfica are a team with a great European pedigree. I was part of the Celtic team in 1970 when we beat them 3-0 and then lost 3-0 over in Port-ugal and Billy McNeill won the coin toss to get us through. The big question now will be whether Neil has enough time to get some business sorted swiftly before the transfer window closes tonight.

Time is running out, but players of quality will be needed for assaults on the European and domestic fronts.

I don't think the board will take the view that Celtic will win the SPL at a canter and are content simply to be in the Champions League group stage; I do think they will invest in the side, although I think they will buy sensibly.

Lennon's signing policy stands up to scrutiny and although inevitably one or two haven't worked out the way he would have liked, by and large he has always spent money well.

The likes of Ki Sung-Yueng is a classic example of that and there are more who are in the same kind of category – Victor Wanyama, to name one.

I have said all summer that a strong centre-half is needed, as well as another striker and a creative midfield player. Ironic-ally, Kelvin Wilson had his best game for Celtic on Wednesday night, although I still think it is an area that can be added to.

Tony Watt has really impressed me, too. He reminds me of a young Kenny Dalglish, not so much in terms of ability but simply in the way he carries himself, the way you can sense that he has a real self-belief on the park.

He, and many of the others, would benefit enormously from a few quality signings because they enhance the squad and bring everyone on.