Celtic's European adversaries rave about Paradise atmosphere in new documentary

By Dave Flanigan

November 27, 2022

Celtic’s European rivals from last season have created a documentary about their 2021-22 campaign, which includes various clips of high praise for the Hoops.

Bodo/Glimt were the surprise package of last season’s Europa Conference League season, hitting Roma for six in the group stage before eventually going out to Jose Mourinho’s team in the quarter-finals.

The Norwegian champions, of course, were also winners in both games of the Conference League play-off round against Ange Postecoglou’s still-growing Celtic side, and there were no shortage of compliments for the Paradise atmosphere from the Eliteserien side in a new documentary about a famous season for the club.

In the first episode of the documentary, which is being shown on the club’s website, there’s several clips involving the Hoops, starting with the Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knudsen, who said (translated exclusively for 67 Hail Hail): “We’d seen 10-12 of their games. They (Celtic) were an exciting team, a team that was developing, with a fun playing philosophy.

“We score after 6 minutes and it was an optimal away game after that. It was fantastic playing at Celtic Park, the crowd is so behind their own team but after the game they paid tribute to ‘little Glimt’ as well, it was just a fantastic atmosphere”

Knudsen’s comments were added to by midfielder Hugo Vetlesen, who said said: “(Playing there) is a special feeling, especially when Celtic scored there came this mega-roar that you’ve never heard anything like. It’s something special when those fans gets going.”

Frank Amundsen, a Bodo/Glimt supporter who was at Celtic Park on the night and was interviewed for the documentary said: “Glasgow is probably the coolest away trip I’ve been on. Glasgow, the Scots, the Celtic supporters, it was something special.

“It was like meeting ‘nordlendinger’ (people from the northern region of Norway where Bodø is): they were open, inclusive, welcoming, bought you a beer, everyone singing in a good mood.

“There was about a 1000 of us and I think everyone had a great time.”

Though the Bodo/Glimt tie was a disappointing one for Celtic, it was a rare low point in the latter six months of last season when Postecoglou’s side began to come together.

Clearly it’s no surprise that the Norwegian side hold it in greater esteem than anyone associated with Celtic, but it’s always good to see the mythos of Paradise on European nights being upheld in recent times.

Here’s hoping this season’s Champions League campaign can lead to bigger and better things next season, hopefully in that same competition.

In other news: Celtic legends and fans alike gather at unveiling of stunning Billy McNeill tribute