Jablonec boss Petr Rada says it will be “hell” for his side at Celtic Park next week.
The Bhoys will welcome back a capacity crowd for the first time since February 2020, and veteran coach Rada says he’s terrified at the prospect. But is he?
The long-tenured manager, who’s enjoyed spells with both Prague sides and the Czech national team, has been around the block a few times. Prior to last night’s 4-2 win for the Bhoys, Rada emphasised the financial gulf between the sides, and praised Celtic’s transfer business.
His Jablonec team gave a creditable performance, scoring twice against an unbalanced Celtic defence. The wily 62-year-old seems to be motivating his players again, albeit through reverse psychology.
Rada said [via Daily Record]:
“The tie is now all about our players not being too frightened next week.
“If you don’t play European football every season and have played a season without any fans and suddenly 60,000 supporters come to your match, it’s not going to be easy.
“The prospect is giving me even more wrinkles on my head.
“Celtic fans are famous, they sell their stadium out for every match. It will be hell.”
Should Jablonec boss Petr Rada be taken at face value with Celtic comments?
To say Celtic haven’t fallen victim to flattery in the past would be incorrect. For example, Dan Petrescu made similar comments about Celtic’s stature, prior to knocking us out of the Champions League qualifiers with CFR Cluj [Glasgow Times].
FC Kobenhaven manager Stale Solbakken said his side could struggle with Celtic’s tempo, before a February 2020 Europa League meeting [Sun]. We lost that one, too.
So, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if Rada was trying to provoke some complacency, either. With a varied and extensive CV, Rada has the experience to know exactly what to say, and when to say it.
Unless he is genuinely terrified at the prospect of playing at Celtic Park. Would a former international manager say that in earnest? No doubt, Paradise’s atmosphere on a European night is like nothing else. However, it sounds like he’s verbally throwing in the towel here.
Whether you should take him at face value or not is your call, reader. We’re not suggesting he’s a liar, or that Celtic Park isn’t a scary prospect for any opposition.
It’s just that, well, we’ve heard this kind of thing before. Albeit, never so bluntly.
In other news: Are Celtic closer to finally dealing with long-standing issue?
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