Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the latest superstar to sing the praises of Celtic Park.
Joining others ranging from Lionel Messi to Paolo Maldini the Swedish striker told how playing against Celtic was the most awesome atmosphere he had ever experienced.
Ibrahimovic has spent over a decade playing for top clubs in Italy and Spain but can’t forget the night he played against Celtic as a young striker with Ajax.
With Celtic winning the first leg 3-1 at the Amsterdam Arena the return leg was a celebration night as the hoops qualified for the group stages of the Champions League for the first time.
Recalling that night 12 years he said: “When I played in Ajax and came to Scotland and Celtic. Then played “Henke” (Larsson) there and it was something the Champions League qualifiers, I think.
“Then when I got out on the pitch and the match began, I tried to communicate with my team player. But I heard nothing. The audience had such a mood. I did not hear what my team players said, if they called me or even the slightest, because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It’s probably the best I have seen on the pitch.”
Celtic lost 1-0 to Ajax but qualified for the Champions League where they won all three home matches against Rosenborg, Porto and Juventus but lost out on a place in the knock out phase.
At the end of the 2001/02 season Ibrahimovic played with Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan but it seems that an August night in 2001 in the east end of Glasgow is one that he’ll never forget.
I mentioned Messis quote on his feelings about Celtic Park, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a top player ever having a bad word to say about their individual Celtic Park experience.
And its worth mentioning the praise each and every one of them has for the Celtic support.
u
So whether you’re in the Green Brigade, the Celtic end, sit witfe your wife with you with a tartan rug and a flask of soup, sit with a microphone detailing the game as b he can to to one of the many sight impaired suupporters who attend CP for every home fixture to just the ordinary gadgy like myself.
TAKE A BOW!
Ps. There has beeen drink.taken.
HH
WELL SAID LAD,HAIL HAIL
Sweenster,
Doos the spoll cheek nod werk when yee hav bean drunkening?
That was a great, heartfelt and passionate wee summation there. I think we should have you out at Parkhead during half-time giving it to the crowd Delia Smith stylee!
Hail Hail my man
Sadly cannae use a spoll cheek hear mate.
I huv tay dae it aw mineselved and some of the sometimes I just kantbe rsedd.
Its eams too b worsterer at th weak ends funneli enuch
H(ic) H(ic)
Be nice if these players would come and play for celtic for a year out there careers instead of all this best atmosphere patter. Get signed and get the hoops on for a season.
Mick,
Can u imagine for a second the team we would have if that was the case?
It would read like a Euro team of the year from 4-4-2 magazine or something.
Yeah, but would they not be missed from the GB?
Some of them can fair give it laldy! ;O)
HH
Samaras is a beast when he has played for Celtic in the Champions League. I hope they keep the Greek star. I think he steps up in key moments.
I missed most of CLF during early 2000s till mid 2006 due to personal issues but since 2007 I’ve been too almost every HOME CLF Match/ if not I definitely watched on sky t.v. So what I’m really saying is you don’t need to go too every game to support your favourite team as long as your heart is still beating you can be with them within your lifetime & I’m certainly making up for now and maybe in the futures I’ll be able to go on & follow them in Europe in the big European nights away from CELTIC PARK, (PARADISE)!!! =D=):-) LOL Lmao Lmho…..
HMmmmmmmmm
HH