The Celtic Park atmosphere is certainly world-famous, and it appears that tonight’s Euro rival is also a big fan.
Parkhead has wowed the best in Europe over the years. You don’t get singled out for praise by the likes of Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Buffon, and Cristiano Ronaldo if you’re arena isn’t world-class (Scottish Sun).
Of course tonight will be a tad different to previous Euro matches. Celtic announced that, in response to recent fines for crowd trouble, rows A-M in the rail-seating section will be closed tonight. Or as many will know it, the Green Brigade section of the ground.
However, Stephan is still looking forward to the atmosphere in any case, and is hoping his Rennes side will thrive at Parkhead. Speaking in the Scotsman, here’s what he’s had to say:
“We want to perform very well because we are playing in what I call a cathedral of football. It is a very special place to play so you want to play your best football if possible.
“It is all about the atmosphere. You can feel when you play here that there is a very strong link between the supporters and the club.
“We know Celtic are looking to win the group to get a slightly easier draw after that.”
Home form has been overlooked this season
So much spotlight this season has been put on the fact that Lennon has managed to go six away games unbeaten in Europe. That run has seen us beat AIK and Lazio whilst also managing to get draws against Cluj and Rennes respectively.
However, our home form has been largely overshadowed by it. Celtic did manage to lose 4-3 to Cluj in that brutal August evening at Parkhead in Champions League qualifying. Yet that result was the only one of six home matches we’ve failed to win. Our full record at home in Europe this season reads like this:
Sarajevo (Won 2-1), Nomme Kalju (Won 5-0), Cluj (Lost 4-3), AIK (Won 2-0), Cluj (Won 2-0), Lazio (Won 2-1).
This is a fine list of results. Yes, there are a couple of teams in there who we should be beating comfortably, but these successes are all tricky to pull off and come with unique dangers.
Defensive record has impressed
It also means that, dismissing the fluke Cluj result, we’ve only conceded two goals in our other five home matches combined. That’s a nod to the great work done by both Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer. Nir Bitton and Jozo Simunovic also deserve a shoutout for playing a small part.
A success tonight against Rennes will mean that we have managed a 100% home record in a European group stage for the first time since 2007 (Wiki). So there’s also a 12-year record to be broken there too.
Stephan is right to big up the Parkhead “cathedral”. The thunder is returning, and Celtic are slowly making it a fortress once more. Here’s hoping tonight isn’t an unnecessary blip on that journey.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
