Celtic fans will be licking their lips at the opportunity to travel down to Birmingham to back the Bhoys in Champions League action against Aston Villa.
With the trip to Villa Park pencilled in for matchday eight, there is still a long way to go before two clubs with historical pedigree in the competition lock horns on January 29th.
Nevertheless, there is already excitement in the air ahead of the clash. Brendan Rodgers has even got involved and is looking forward to facing Unai Emery and meeting former colleague Youri Tielemans in the West Midlands.
He stated yesterday: “Unai has done a great job there over the last couple of years, getting them qualification, and they look at a club that’s really well organized behind the scenes, providing the manager with the tools to go and elevate the team.
“And now he’s done a great job there. So we’ll look forward to that. And obviously, we’ve got one of my former players there, and Youri Tielemans who’s a very good player. I look forward to seeing Youri when the game comes.”
Now, Aston Villa captain John McGinn has shed light on what it will be like facing his boyhood club in the Champions League league phase.
John McGinn on facing Celtic in the Champions League
Speaking to The Daily Record, McGinn has revealed he will put loyalties aside as Aston Villa bid to claim precious points in the league phase. However, he has also revealed his phone has been red-hot due to family members demanding to see the only show in town: Celtic!
He explained: “It never affected me as a player (facing Celtic). I made my St Mirren debut against Celtic. I always managed to do alright against them. So, hopefully, it’s the same in January.
“But it certainly will be a little bit different being such a big game on the biggest stage. I think the lads will want to play at Celtic Park because I’ve ramped on about European nights there so many times to them.
“Obviously it’s my first experience in the Champions League, it’s very exciting for me and obviously to play against Celtic. It’ll be a bit strange, I speaking to Greg Taylor and James Forrest and we just had a laugh about it. But when the game comes up we’ll be wanting to beat each other on the biggest stage.
“Was I hoping to get Celtic? Not really! Family and friends, they always want to come and see the biggest of games. But when it was Celtic, the phone was going off the hook. I thought about it and I thought, nah, I’d have rather somebody else because nobody would want to come and see Monaco at home!
“I’m sure they’ll be wanting Celtic to win. But it’s something I’ve dealt with in the past with St Mirren and Hibs. I’ve got a job to do for Villa and I’m sure it’ll be an exciting game for everyone.”
Celtic fans will relish a trip south of the border
Despite becoming a rare phenomenon in recent years, trips south of the border are brilliant as a Celtic away supporter, and fans will undoubtedly pile into cars, buses and trains to make their presence felt in Birmingham.
From the famous victories at Ewood Park and Anfield on the Road to Seville to travelling down to Manchester United and Manchester City, you’ll not find a spot in the city that isn’t littered with green and white.
However, there is also three points to be won at Villa Park, which won’t be an easy endeavour in light of Aston Villa’s recent ascendency to fighting among the cream of the crop in the Premier League.
Truthfully, we’ll worry about it nearer the time. Plenty of football in Europe’s premier competition is set to be played before the visit to the West Midlands, so there is plenty of time before the scramble for tickets commences!
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