Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores from the penalty spot during the Champions League Group C soccer match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Nov 23, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The Scottish champion's hopes of a third memorable win over Barca in 12 years — after a UEFA Cup victory in 2004 and a Champions League triumph in 2012 — looked thin from the moment Messi scored his 91st goal in the competition, meeting a clipped pass from Neymar with a first-time shot inside the near post.

Back after missing Barca's last La Liga game through illness, Messi had already squandered two good chances by then, while Suarez was denied a second goal from a diving header because of an acrobatic save by goalkeeper Craig Gordon late in the half.

Barca started the second half sloppily only to be gifted a penalty thanks to a clumsy challenge from Emilio Izaguirre on Suarez.

Messi drove his penalty low and straight as Gordon dived to his left.

In search of the 38th hat trick of his Barca career, Messi dragged a shot narrowly wide in the 67th. He turned down a shot on goal to tee up Suarez, who struck the post with a close-range shot.