Jablonec goalkeeper admits it was hard to handle Celtic Park atmosphere

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For Jablonec at Celtic Park last night, it was a lesson learned as they head back to the Czech Republic.

Over two legs, the team who finished 3rd in last season’s Czech top-flight by no means disgraced themselves. Petr Rada’s side made life difficult in the first meeting, scoring twice. However, there was nothing they could do against a buoyant Celtic side, backed by tens of thousands of raucous supporters.

The Czechs fell 3-0 to Celtic, with David Turnbull (2) and James Forrest delighting the returning Hoops faithful. It was those fans, according to Jablonec goalkeeper Jan Hanuš, that made the difference.

Hanuš told Sport.Cz:

“I tried not to notice the atmosphere, but it didn’t work out at all. Such a match will completely engulf you, that you often do not even know what is happening around you.

“Even when I came to the stadium, I felt great because I drew from that great atmosphere. I was really looking forward to that match and completely fulfilled my expectations. Right at the beginning, their attacker (Kyogo Furuhashi) ran on me alone and I [kept it] out, which kicked me [on].

“At 2-0 we had three big chances, but unfortunately we didn’t [take] them, and it decided [the game]. In addition, there is a huge difference when you lose by two or three goals. We had good passages, unfortunately there was no goal.”

Jablonec won’t be the only team to struggle at Celtic Park

Just by the by; what a difference it makes to have supporters at Celtic Park. Yes, it’s obvious, but the lift the players seem to get, the energy from the stands and the atmosphere in general is second to none. As supporters, we’re famous for a reason.

Perhaps, then, having been locked out for 17 months, that atmosphere will give Celtic the competitive edge that was lacking last season. Jablonec won’t be the only team who will find life difficult at Celtic Park.

Before the Dundee game, we spoke about the need to fortify Fortress Parkhead. Any club can talk about their home stadium, and its strategic importance. When it comes to Celtic, though, the difference really does count. It’s not just a well-worn cliché.

Jan Hanuš won’t be the only goalkeeper affected by the atmosphere. In fairness to him, he wasn’t actually too bad. On a number of occasions, he kept the scoreline respectable for Jablonec, who were being overrun all over the pitch.

As he mentioned himself, he did well to keep Kyogo Furuhashi from bursting the net.

With the dust settling on another big European night at Paradise, it’s Hanuš who has joined the vast chorus of opposition players blown away by the atmosphere.

As supporters, we know we’ll do our part to keep that list growing.

Read more: David Turnbull reflects on life under Ange