HOLD THE BACK PAGE:The sight of rock legend Rod Stewart wiping away tears – of joy – after Celtic's Champions League group win over Barcelona the other night reaffirmed sport's ability to inflict an emotional roller-coaster on those watching history take place.

It also reinforced the fact that there is no substitute for being present at a sporting event, rather than watching on television.

Stewart’s obvious love of Celtic can only have been intensified by the extra energy supplied by the club’s vociferous supporters. Of course, Rod the Mod is no johnny-come-lately to the Celtic cause.

He sang of his love for The Bhoys in his 1977 hit, You’re In My Heart in which he describes Celtic as “the best team I’ve ever seen”.