Celtic hope Messi's mind will be on new son, not Champs League

Celtic's hopes of beating Barcelona in the Champions League today could be decided at a maternity ward rather than in the intimidating atmosphere of Camp Nou, the home of the Catalan giants.

The Spanish side's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi is due to become a father for the first time this week when his girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo, gives birth.

The couple's baby, already known to be a boy who will be named Thiago, was widely expected to arrive at the weekend. That prompted feverish speculation in the Spanish media that Messi would be rested from the team.

"The game against Deportivo [last Saturday] could go down in Messi's history books. Several sources report that the Argentine has the date of October 20 marked on his calendar as the day his first child, Thiago, will enter into the world," claimed Marca sports daily.

"Messi himself has confirmed that his family and that of Antonella are on their way to Barcelona for the occasion."

In the end, baby Thiago decided not to make an appearance just yet and Messi played in the 5-4 win over Deportivo La Coruna, scoring his 21st Barcelona hat-trick which kept his team on top of La Liga.

With or without Messi, Barcelona are in pole position in their European group after back-to-back victories.