Inside the last Celtic clash with Real Madrid as Dylan McGeouch recalls breaking his JAW in Philadelphia friendly

Deep in the bowels of The Linc stadium in Philadelphia, Neil Lennon is writing names on a whiteboard.

Sergio Ramos and Sami Khedira kicked it off. But they keep coming. Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain. He even jots down the subs who include Iker Casillas, Rafa Varane, Angel di Maria, Alvaro Morata, Mesut Ozil – and Karim Benzema. When he finally gets to the end, almost in unison, the entire Celtic squad burst out LAUGHING.

It’s the summer of 2012 and they’re on a pre-season tour of America. More than 3000 miles away, Old Firm rivals Rangers have drawn 2-2 with Peterhead in their first game in Scotland’s bottom tier. Meanwhile, Lennon’s team are facing Real Madrid ’s Galacticos in a friendly in front of 40,000 fans. It’s the last time the clubs met. And for one former Celtic player in particular, he’ll never forget it. The Hoops lost 2-0, courtesy of goals from Jose Callejon and Benzema.

Considering Lennon’s side started with the likes of Lukasz Zaluska in goal, Thomas Rogne at centre-back and Daryl Murphy up front, they were probably grateful to get off so lightly.

They got out of Philly with their pride intact. But the same couldn’t be said for Dylan McGeouch’s jaw. After 78 minutes of his best performance in a Celtic jersey, he was clattered by Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin.

What followed is just a haze for McGeouch. The next thing he knew he was waking up in a hospital bed. But he remembers the build-up, where Lennon had to keep Real’s team a secret until shortly before kick-off.

McGeouch told Record Sport : “We thought they would probably play their reserves or youth team. Maybe they’d bring one or two big names off the bench.

“But I remember before it in the changing room, Lenny