Former Celtic centre-back Erik Sviatchenko has managed to do what the Hoops couldn’t do this season – and reach the Champions League group stages.
Sviatchenko captained FC Midtjylland to a 4-1 won over Slavia Prague on Wednesday, which put the Danish side into the group stages after a goalless draw in the first leg.
The former Hoops star was pictured on social media joining in with the celebrations with the caption ‘Champions League mood’.
Sviatchenko was very popular with Hoops fans during his time at the club, and will no doubt receive many congratulations from all at Celtic Park.
First time club have reached group stages
It is a big achievement for a Danish team to reach the Champions League group stages. In fact, it is the first time that Midtjylland have reached the promised land of the group stages.
Even more impressively, they came back from going a goal behind in just three minutes, and scored three goals in the last 10 minutes. That is impressive character.
However, it is not hard to look at Midtjylland’s win and the fact that Ferencvaros made the group stages to look at what might have been for Celtic.
Hoops are probably a better side
Are Celtic a better side than Midtjylland? You would have to say they probably are. Celtic are also probably a better side than Ferencvaros too, but both those sides will be in the Champions League group stages, whilst Celtic haven’t even guaranteed a place in the Europa League group stages yet.
Still, football goes on, and Celtic must focus on defeating Sarajevo, and making sure that the club’s European adventure continues up until Christmas at the very least.
Hopefully next season Celtic will make up for this season’s failure in the Champions League. It is about time Celtic did themselves justice in football’s biggest club competition.
In the meantime, congratulations to Erik Sviatchenko. He was part of a legendary Celtic side, and will now be part of a legendary Midtjylland side.
In other news, Leigh Griffiths may feature for Celtic against Sarajevo.
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