CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/Group F: Martin O'Neill's Celtic side made a mockery of their most recent domestic form, poor record in the Champions League this season and the fact most judges regard Barcelona as European Champions-elect by drawing last night.

A John Hartson goal just before half-time allowed Celtic to escape Barcelona with their second draw in the space of eight months after Samuel Eto'o seemed to have opened the floodgates early in the game.

Celtic welcomed back Bobo Balde and Didier Agathe in a 4-4-2 formation designed to frustrate their hosts. It had seemed the idea would work until chaos reigned in the Celtic area. First, Jackie McNamara almost sliced a clearance past his goalkeeper Magnus Hedman before the Swede was forced into a number of desperate clearances away from his own goalmouth.

Then Barcelona struck. Samuel Eto'o drifted deep to pick up the ball and, crucially, was allowed to turn and run at Celtic's defence before playing a wonderfully-executed one-two with Deco and poking the ball past Hedman.

Celtic were already having trouble retaining possession once they won the ball and the home team repeatedly surged up both flanks in search of the second goal. It should have arrived just before half-time but was wasted.

From just five metres out Eto'o was in space and seemed certain to score but Hedman arrived to save a goalbound shot with his feet.

Celtic soon received their bonus for such determined defending when Stilian Petrov's 45th-minute free-kick curled towards goal and Varga flicked the ball to the far post.

John Hartson's run away from his marker was ruled onside and he delicately touched the ball past Victor Valdes for a half-time scoreline which barely reflected the play, possession or chances.

Barcelona's manager Frank Rijkaard made one change at the break with the former Rangers favourite Giovanni van Bronckhorst coming on for Sylvinho while O'Neill kept faith with the players who had made their opponents pay for not killing the game off.

Barcelona continued to be a threat in attack and Joos Valgaeren had to head Juliano Belletti's cross behind with Ronaldinho waiting to pounce. But while the pressure was sustained they just could not find a way past a determined Celtic rearguard.

Hartson admitted Celtic had gone out to frustrate Barcelona. The backs-to-the-wall performance keeps their UEFA Cup hopes alive although it confirmed their exit from the bigger competition.

And Hartson told Sky Sports: "They got a bit frustrated. We were clever but we had to be - doing a bit of time-wasting, using a bit of experience."

Hartson was delighted with the point, adding: "I think going into the game, not many people gave us a chance, even ourselves.

"We knew what an unbelievable task we had. I thought they had a few chances in the first half but in the second half we limited them to very few chances."

BARCELONA: Valdes, Belletti, Puyol, Oleguer, Sylvinho (Van Bronckhorst 45), Xavi, Marquez, Deco, Giuly (Iniesta 60), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. Subs Not Used: Ruben Martinez, Gerard, Fernando, Messi, Rodri. Booked: Marquez. Goals: Eto'o 25.

CELTIC: Hedman, Agathe, Balde, Valgaeren, Varga (Camara 65), McNamara, Petrov, Lennon, Thompson (Wallace 86), Sutton, Hartson. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Juninho Paulista, Pearson, Laursen, McGeady. Booked: Lennon. Goals: Hartson 45.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).