Ilkay Gundogan says he was ‘amazed’ and ‘surprised’ by Celtic Park when playing there for Manchester City.
Just over a decade ago, Parkhead hosted its first Champions League group stage game in three years, and Man City were the A-list opponents.
Under their then-new manager Pep Guardiola, City had won every game until that point, but Brendan Rodgers’ Celts took the lead three times in an electric 3-3 draw.
The game was one of the more enjoyable European nights of Rodgers’ first spell, and legendary midfielder Gundogan hasn’t forgotten about it either.
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Ilkay Gundogan ‘amazed’ by how Celtic fans supported their team
Asked to name his favourite three stadium atmosphere on his TikTok, Gundogan said: “Top three stadiums that I’ve played in my career in terms of atmosphere…
“I would say, obviously, Rams Park, Galatasaray.
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“Then Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, I think. Always a great atmosphere…
“And the one that was, for me, most surprising was actually Celtic Park, which we played with City against Celtic there.
“And I was really surprised and amazed [by] how loud it was you know? and how the people were supporting their team.
“So I really enjoyed playing that game.”
It’s especially high praise given that Gundogan has played for the home team in the two other stadiums he named.
Just two minutes had passed when Moussa Dembele opened the scoring through a well-worked set piece routine, but Fernandinho equalised just eight minutes later.
Kieran Tierney then stepped up with the first European goal of his career… or so he thought, until it was credited as an own goal by Raheem Sterling.
Sterling himself then instantly made up for that by equalising again ahead of the half-hour mark, and the sides went in level at the break.
A stunning overhead kick by Dembele put the Celts back ahead, but for the third time in one game, City equalised eight minutes after Celtic had taken the lead.
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Recent Celtic signings from Manchester City
Celtic last signed a player from City in the summer, in the shape of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey – it’s fair to say that move didn’t go to plan.
He was the first City player to join the Hoops since Jeremie Frimpong in 2019. Having never made a senior appearance in Manchester, Frimpong is now at Liverpool.
Long-term City servants Joe Hart and Kelechi Iheanacho have both recently made moves to Celtic Park.
Kasper Schmeichel has just confirmed the end of his career in Glasgow; it began at City in 2005.
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