Rennes Events Manager Julien Bouchard has explained how a trip to Celtic Park 10 years ago helped inspire the Ligue 1 club to change their stadium music.
For the last decade, Rennes have been using Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” as their goal music. However, this was a decision made due to the fact the French club left Parkhead wowed by the effect it had on the Celtic support. Celtic faced Rennes in the Europa League group stages back in 2011.
The song became a staple of the Celtic support during Neil Lennon’s first reign as manager. It’s still used to this day at Celtic Park as a way to hype the crowd up both pre-match and after certain goals. And the connection it creates with the fans left Rennes absolutely wowed.
Events manager Bouchard has been discussing their decision to use the tune after the hit the 10-year landmark for it, and explained that it won’t be going away anytime soon.
As quoted by French outlet Paris Beacon, Bouchard said: “We loved the atmosphere, the experience. There was such a fellowship, such a respect for traditions. It was an unforgettable trip. One of those who feed the supporters. We all came home with this song in our heads. Everyone sang it on the way back.
“It was the very beginning of music in the stadiums. For a long time, we were not allowed to send sound after goals. We did a test and it took well.
“Yes, one day we will change it. We discussed it with the members of the RCK and they were OK. But we won’t do it like that overnight. This kind of decision shouldn’t be made by just a few people at the club. You have to be careful. The songs, they are part of the history of the club, of its memory. We cannot change them without causing disappointment.”
Celtic Park still wowing and inspiring to this day
Celtic Park continues to be the source of inspiration and admiration for all those who have the luxury of attending. Celtic would beat Rennes 3-1 that night, and interestingly it wasn’t even packed.
Lennon was going through a tricky period of results at the time. The European campaign hadn’t gotten off to the greatest of starts and there were genuine fears for the manager over his future at the club. The morale-boosting 3-1 win helped prove something of a catalyst as we went on to have a fine season.
But it just goes to show you that even a Celtic Park not brimmed to its capacity can still inspire. The fact that Rennes have had the tune in operation for so long suggests they’re getting joy from it too.
It’s certainly used more sparingly at Parkhead these days. Even so, it still has the Celtic fans bouncing when things are going well. You can’t deny it’s been one of the most successful tunes to have been brought into football by the Hoops over the last 15 years or so.
Rennes have, of course, visited Celtic Park more recently. The Ligue 1 club made the trip to Glasgow to face the Bhoys in 2019. Celtic secured another 3-1 win on that occasion too.
In other news, Confirmed: Former Celtic CEO Dom McKay lands first job since surprising Parkhead exit
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