Ex-Dundee and Airdrieonians striker Leighton McIntosh has stated that Celtic Park topples Ibrox, ahead of his own visit to Govan.
Wrexham travel to Glasgow on Saturday to face Rangers’ Colts side in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup. Celtic’s own colts side were unfortunately put out of the competition in a penalty shootout against Falkirk in round two.
McIntosh will be part of that Wrexham side as he looks to net at Ibrox for the first time. He was also part of the Airdrie squad who came to Parkhead last season and lost 3-0. McIntosh has never scored against either Celtic or Rangers during any of his spells with five different Scottish clubs.
The striker has been talking ahead of his big chance this weekend. And he’s told North Wales Live that he prefers Celtic Park when asked about whether Ibrox is the best he’s played in.
“I’ve played at Hampden Park as well, but I think Ibrox is better than Hampden.
“But I’ve also played at Parkhead as well, Celtic’s ground, and I would probably just say Celtic’s just edges it; not that I’ve got any preference between Celtic and Rangers, I’m from Dundee, I’ve got absolutely no opinion on either of them.”
No surprises there then
McIntosh doesn’t exactly rank in the same category as Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, or Xavi (FCBarcelona.com). What they do all have in common, however, is their appreciation for Celtic Park.
Indeed, the 60,000-plus capacity in Glasgow’s East End makes for a riveting experience for those who have managed to be a part of a famous European night at Parkhead.
There’s no denying Ibrox makes a decent enough atmosphere as well. Compare it to our famous stadium, however, and there really is no contest.
Neil Lennon has also started making Celtic Park a fortress on European nights once again. The 4-3 blip to Cluj in August has been the only time in six matches when we’ve lost at home on the continent this season. Celtic have managed to put the likes of AIK, Cluj, and Lazio to the sword. They may not be European heavyweights, but it’s a start as we look to rebuild the Parkhead fear-factor.
Despite the great work that Brendan Rodgers carried out during his two-and-a-half-year spell here, his home record in Europe was abysmal. Celtic only managed to win three out of 11 home European matches post-qualifiers under him (Celtic Wikipedia).
Hopefully, gone are the days when Anderlecht, RB Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Valencia rock up and strut about Parkhead as if it’s their own playground.
Yet even if the reputation of Parkhead still needs to be rebuilt in terms of being a footballing fortress, the atmosphere hasn’t ever dipped in quality.
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