Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead in the space of 60 seconds and were pegged back in a remarkable 3-3 thriller at Celtic Park.
These two clubs will always be known for the 1967 European Cup Final, won 2-1 by the Hoops in Lisbon. Lukas Podolski is unavailable, but January signings Xherdan Shaqiri and Davide Santon started the first leg in this Round of 32.
Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead in the space of 60 seconds and were pegged back in a remarkable 3-3 thriller at Celtic Park.
These two clubs will always be known for the 1967 European Cup Final, won 2-1 by the Hoops in Lisbon. Lukas Podolski is unavailable, but January signings Xherdan Shaqiri and Davide Santon started the first leg in this Round of 32.
It took just four minutes for Inter to break the deadlock in Glasgow, as Shaqiri sprung the offside trap through the middle on a Zdravko Kuzmanovic assist and his volley was parried by Craig Gordon, but the follow-up went in.
Roberto Mancini’s men were dominant from the start and a second was inevitable. Shaqiri put a corner back into the middle and it fell kindly for Rodrigo Palacio to poke home.
Celtic did get one back, as Adam Matthews pulled back from the by-line for the totally unmarked Stuart Armstrong to tap in at the back post.
Incredibly, Inter fell asleep, as within 60 seconds it was 2-2. Just like against Napoli in the Coppa Italia earlier this month, a throw-in caught the Nerazzurri napping and Armstrong flicked it on for Hugo Campagnaro to accidentally bundle into his own net.
Celtic almost went in front, but Juan Pablo Carrizo bravely rushed off his line to close down Stefan Johansen. Shaqiri was harshly booked for simulation.
Inter were literally gifted a third goal on the stroke of half-time. Craig Gordon seemed comfortable when capturing a long ball, but fumbled and allowed Palacio to deposit into an empty net.
Palacio aimed a weak effort straight at Gordon after the restart, then Shaqiri went on a great solo run from midfield to be denied by the goalkeeper at full stretch.
Nir Biton blasted just wide from distance and Carrizo was decisive in blocking off Johansen, then smothered a Liam Henderson volley.
Shaqiri forced a strange save out of Gordon from distance, the goalkeeper using his forearm to beat it away.
Just as it seemed to be over, Celtic completed their comeback again with John Guidetti. He controlled a ball over the top and volleyed it under the bar to equalise.
Inter had the chance to restore their lead with the last kick of the game, but Gordon flew to deny Shaqiri’s set play.
Celtic 3-3 Inter
Scorers: Shaqiri 4 (I), Palacio 14, 45 (I), Armstrong 24 (C), Campagnaro og 26 (C), Guidetti 93 (C)
Celtic: Gordon; Matthews (Ambrose 81), Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Mackay-Steven, Johansen, Armstrong (Henderson 75); Griffiths (Guidetti 76)
Inter: Carrizo; Santon, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Campagnaro; Kuzmanovic (Dodo 79), Guarin, Medel; Shaqiri; Palacio, Icardi (Kovacic 75)
Ref: Vad (HUN)