Certain grounds reach another level under the lights on a European night. Celtic Park is one of those.
There is a mystique to Celtic Park, a ground which has a reputation around Europe for being a tough place to go.
Rooted in the history of one of Europe’s past powers, Celtic have cultivated and built on this reputation despite very limited success over the last few years - Celtic haven’t played a Champions League knockout match since 2013.
In 2003, Michael Owen said he ‘never played in such an atmosphere’. Sepp Blatter praised the Celtic fans, and former Barcelona midfielder Deco deemed the Celtic Park faithful the best fans in the world.
Only a select group of clubs really capture the imagination of neutrals. Opposition players and managers are often in awe of Anfield. The same can be said of Benfica’s Estádio da Luz or any of Turkey’s Big Three.
It is a finite list of grounds and clubs who represent something greater than a football team, venues with a history and bellowing atmosphere which leaves hairs standing up on necks and can rattle opponents.
Xavi even drew comparisons with Barcelona.
He said, "Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries."
Despite Celtic being no more than an afterthought in football betting online on the Champions League stage in recent years, Celtic Park remains high up on the list of fiercest atmospheres.
Just like group stage trips to Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and others around the continent, an away day at Celtic Park has the potential to be an upset pick in European football tips.
Xavi isn’t the only all-time great to praise European nights at Celtic Park.
💚 #OTD in 2012, a famous night at Celtic Park as Celtic beat Barcelona...
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 7, 2019
⚽️ Victor Wanyama, Tony Watt #UCL | @CelticFC
Clarence Seedorf, the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, said, "Celtic fans are some of the greatest supporters I know."
Jose Mourinho claimed he ‘fell in love a bit with Celtic’ after his Porto team beat the Scottish side in the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
Paolo Maldini even nominated Celtic Park as a bucket list ground, saying, "Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park, I have never felt anything like it."
Celtic are not a forefront of Champions League predictions, yet the experience under the lights at Celtic Park hits with even the world’s greatest players.
It is testament to the atmosphere, to the ardent support of the Celtic fans that even players who have won World Cups and Champions Leagues have Celtic Park firmly stuck in their memory.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic previously said he couldn’t communicate with his teammates, such was the bellow from the crowd. Steven Gerrard, prior to becoming Rangers manager, of course, said he had ‘not seen a better atmosphere’.
It is a step too far to say Celtic Park is unique on a European night, but it goes without saying that few can match the sheer volume that echoes around Parkhead.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 6th September 2022
