Barcelona cruises past Celtic to clinch progression, top spot in Group C

As if there was ever any doubt.

Barcelona is through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, a pair of goals from Lionel Messi seeing the Blaugrana defeat Celtic 2-0 on Wednesday in Scotland.

Related - Watch: Neymar's perfect lob sets up Messi for sweet finish

The result secures top spot in Group C for the Spanish giant, and, theoretically, a more favourable draw in the Round of 16.

Messi, who missed Saturday's goalless draw with Malaga due to illness, provided a fine finish to Neymar's lofted pass to hand his side a 24th-minute lead in Glasgow.

The Barcelona captain, who grabbed a hat-trick in the 7-0 mauling in the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou, then converted a 56th-minute penalty won by Luis Suarez to see his side top Group C with 12 points from five games.

Manchester City's draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in the group's other match also sent the English side through, with Celtic condemned to a last-place finish behind the German club.

Related: City's draw at Gladbach confirms progress after tempestuous tussle