Liverpool legend John Arne Riise also played over 100 games for Roma.
And now, the Norwegian defender has been discussing their upcoming Europa League tie against Celtic.
Admittedly, the tie doesn’t come at a good time for the Hoops. Sandwiched between two vital domestic matches in Wilfried Nancy’s first week, the game will be a major test.
But with just three matches of the League Phase remaining, Celtic could really do with some points on the board in order to secure qualification for the knockout stages.
Riise has been waxing lyrical about Celtic Park in his preview for the game.
John Arne Riise previews Roma vs Celtic in the Europa League
Riise was in the Liverpool team that Martin O’Neill’s men famously beat on the road to Seville.
A year later, in a friendly in the USA, he scored one of his trademark free-kicks against the Hoops.
READ MORE: Celtic assigned Champions League final referee who holds UEFA record for Roma clash
Previewing the Hoops’ tie against his former side, he told Football Italia: “Celtic is one of the best games I played in because of the atmosphere and the passion the fans are showing, helping the team.
“What I do love about Anfield and at Celtic is the European nights. I think that they are quite special in both places.
“Obviously my favourite place is Anfield. I’d been playing there for many years, but when I see Celtic, the games for European nights on TV, and I played there myself, it’s unbelievable.
“I won’t compare them, but I will say that Celtic on a European night is one of the best games in the world to play in. It’s an unbelievable atmosphere, and the noise level is ridiculous.
“I think Roma’s been on a good run so far, at home in the Italian League.
“The one thing I would say could be tough is whether they can handle that style of play that Celtic have, as well as the passionate fans in the stadium.
“All those kinds of things, because it’s going to be passionate and I know from experience that Celtic players are going to go out from the first whistle to just run over you, and try to create chances, to get the fans behind them and that could be intimidating if you don’t know how to react to that.
“But that’s the only thing that I would be concerned about. Apart from that, I’m confident that Roma can get the win.”
Celtic’s recent record against Italian sides
Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini faced Celtic with Atalanta in last season’s Champions League, and Brendan Rodgers’ side returned with a respectable 0-0 draw in Bergamo.
The season prior though, they were defeated home and away by Roma’s arch-rivals, Lazio.
Under Neil Lennon, AC Milan did the double over a poor Celtic side in the closed doors 2020-21 season, but the season prior was a special one.
Anyone who was at the Stadio Olimpico won’t forget Olivier Ntcham’s winner there in 2019 – this was Celtic’s first-ever win in Italy.
Of course, the Celts also won it late in the home tie, thanks to Christopher Jullien’s header,
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