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Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
Early Doors

The Morning Score: Thursday

Here’s everything you need to know this morning – unless you’re a Celtic fan looking for the Neurofen. Ouch.

1. #CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sandro Rosell, Tito Vilanova, Hristo Stoichkov, Mark Hughes, Shakira… can you hear me, Shakira? Your boys took one hell of a beating.

Two weeks on from their late Nou Camp heartbreak, Celtic savoured a night for the ages as they toppled the best team in world football. Goals from Victor Wanyama and 18-year-old Tony Watt gave Neil Lennon’s men a 2-1 win over Barcelona, leaving the Scots on seven points and poised to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds.

Catch up on all of the evening’s Champions League action here >

2. #BOKS Jamie Heaslip is expected to be named as Ireland captain when coach Declan Kidney names his starting XV for Saturday’s Guinness Series test against South Africa later this afternoon.

Ireland were dealt another injury blow yesterday when Paul O’Connell suffered a back injury and was ruled out of the game against the Springboks.

3. #STARS AND STRIPES Robbie Keane struck twice last night as the LA Galaxy booked their place in the MLS Western Conference finals with a 3-2 aggregate win against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Republic of Ireland skipper hit a first-half double to set the Galaxy on their way to a 3-1 win on the night.

4. #WIGGO Tour de France champion and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins was in hospital last night after being hit by a car while riding his bike.

“The injuries he has sustained are not thought to be serious and he is expected to make a full and speedy recovery,” Team Sky said in a statement.

5. #FUELLING CRITICISM Former Armagh sponsor Hugh Morgan launched a blistering attack on the Orchard county board as he withdrew sponsorship for their flagship stadium, the Athletic Grounds.

Morgan criticised the county board ‘over their failure to take decisive and strategic action to stem the decline of Armagh Football’ as his company Morgan Fuels severed all ties with the county.

6. #HOOP LAD Trevor Croly was confirmed as Shamrock Rovers new manager yesterday after agreeing a two-year deal to replace Stephen Kenny at Tallaght Stadium.

Speaking to TheScore.ie, Hoops chairman Jonathan Roche dismissed the suggestion that the financial fall-out from the club’s decision to sack Kenny had any impact on their search for a new manager.

Open thread: Have teams figured out how to beat Barcelona?

5 things we learned from this week’s Champions League action