BARCA LOSS A SORE POINT FOR DE VRIES

CELTIC goalkeeper Dorus de Vries admits the scars from his 7-0 Barcelona battering have yet to “heal up”.

The Dutchman’s first game i n Europe for the Hoops after signing from Nottingham Forest was a Champions League fixture at the Nou Camp in September, 2016.

A star-studded Barca inflicted the Scottish champions’ heaviest-ever European defeat with Lionel Messi helping himself to a hat-trick, Luis Suarez a double and goals from Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

Craig Gordon took over as No 1 a couple of weeks later but De Vries came back i nto t he side l ast month after the Scotland keeper sustained a longterm knee injury which will keep him out for up to 12 weeks.

The 37-year-old is set to make only his second appearance for Celtic in Europe a week tomorrow when Russian side Zenit St Peterburg travel to Glasgow for the first l eg of their Europa League clash.

Speaking at the club’s Lennoxtown training complex, De Vries recalled the painful night in Spain.

“I think that will take a couple of years to heal up, that one, because I am a winner, I want to win,” he said.

“It is still the sorest point in terms of I hate losing, I can’t stand it.

“It doesn’t matter whether it is Barcelona or Partick Thistle, you want to win. Simple. It was a disappointing night.”