Neil Lennon has been a part of many great Champions League nights for Celtic.
Whether that’s on the pitch as a player, or in the Celtic Park dugout. Of course, that famous night against Barcelona probably stands out above all.
The supporters on that night generated a noise probably not heard inside Glasgow ever before, especially when Tony Watt slotted home, but how does it compare to the present?
Of course, that win over Barcelona was nearly ten years after Lennon had left Celtic, before returning as the manager.
And he thinks one thing has drastically changed when it comes to the Celtic atmosphere and the opposition.
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Neil Lennon says Celtic Park atmosphere has changed on Champions League nights
Lennon is probably one of the best judges of this because he has experienced it as a player, manager, and now as a fan whilst working on punditry duty.
But the legendary midfielder feels that the opposition aren’t as ‘intimidated’ as they were back when he was playing.
Speaking to Open Goal, Lennon was reminiscing about some of his European nights, and how much the supporters used to help because it would ‘really inspire’ you.
On his Champions League experiences at Celtic: “The Champions League nights, because the fans, one, there is a pedigree with Celtic because of 67,” said Lennon. “There is always that history.
“Two, the fans have been starved of big-time football for 10-15 years. But they were hungry. So, we walked out that night (against Juventus in 2001), and the decibel noises. It elevates you.
“Back in them days, I think it really intimidated the opposition. I don’t think it does so much now, but it still elevates the Celtic players.
“The atmosphere, still, to this day, 25 years on, is fantastic. You get really inspired by it.”
What Lionel Messi said about Celtic’s atmosphere
One man who was in that Barcelona side on that famous night – and was one of the best to ever do it – was Lionel Messi.
Messi would have witnessed it all during his career, but his words about Scotland’s most successful club is one to savour for the fans.
Back in 2020, Celtic’s official website shared Messi’s words about Celtic’s atmosphere, and how it’s ‘the best in Europe’.
‘The games against Celtic were special and I want to remember them,” said Messi.
“Celtic Park is a tough place to go to. It’s never easy to get a result there. We know we would get a tough game if we drew them in the Champions League, but everybody involved in those Barcelona v Celtic games wants to go and play there again.
“It is the best atmosphere in Europe, and we all want to experience that again.”
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