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CELTIC’S experiences on German soil over the last 42 years have been more wounding than wunderbar.
And no Celt has suffered at the hands of German teams more than former Hoops ace Alan Thompson.
If Parkhead fans do indeed know their history then it’s enough to make their hearts sink rather than soar.
On 11 visits stretching back to 1976, the Hoops have failed to record a single win, losing eight and drawing three.
Thompson suffered Teutonic torture twice in the same year – and it still frustrates him to this day.
That’s why the 44-year-old is desperate to see the hoodoo end this week in Leipzig.
In 2003, Thommo scored the opener in a UEFA Cup clash with Stuttgart – before Celtic succumbed to a last-minute goal to lose 3-2.
Later that same year the Geordie got Martin O’Neill’s side off to a flier in the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich – only for a late collapse and a Roy Makaay double to leave him down in the dumps again.
Tomorrow the Hoops will look to banish these away-day blues against big-spending RB Leipzig in the third game of their Europa League group.
And while Thommo knows the difficulty of the task in hand against a side lying fifth in the Bundesliga, he believes formidable records are there to be shattered – as England proved last week against Spain.
Thommo said: “I don’t know what it is about German sides but you know they are mentally tough.
“I played against them at youth levels and then for Celtic and it was always the same.
“People talk about German efficiency and mentality and it’s true. There’s always a big atmosphere in the grounds as well and that adds to the difficulty of pulling off a win in these places.
“I remember Celtic had fantastic support at both matches – people flying into whatever German airports they could then jumping on buses and trains to get to the game.
“But Celtic’s record is odd – there’s no reason for these weird stats coming up in football.
“If I knew what the secret was to changing it I’d do it but it’s something you just can’t put your finger on.
“But look at England last week going to Spain, who hadn’t lost a home qualifier for 15 years and England go into a 3-0 lead and then win the game.
“Maybe the time has come for Celtic to break the record. It would be fantastic if they could win against Leipzig.
“I’m sure Brendan will have done his homework and the players will know everything they need to know.
“They’re a very good side given where they are in the Bundesliga right now but fingers crossed Celtic can come away with a positive result.”
Thompson can claim the first of his German defeats didn’t sting quite as much as it could have.
Although the Bhoys lost 3-2 on his visit to the Neckar river, O’Neill’s side went through to a quarter-final game against Liverpool having won 3-1 in the first leg at Parkhead.
Against Stuttgart, Didier Agathe’s cross was flicked on by John Hartson and Thompson netted a brilliant diving header.
But the agonies of that night and the repeat dose eight months later in the Olympic Stadium still stick in his craw.
Thompson said: “I remember that game was a little bit crazy as we scored early and then ended up hanging on a bit to get the aggregate win. What I do remember is I scored first with a header – and a diving one at that.
“We knew how important it was to get off to a good start and that was a real boost. Sutty scored a few minutes later and we were well in control.
“But they netted before half-time and then scored two late in the game. We were still in command after winning in Glasgow but it was one of those where you just wanted the ref to blow for full-time.
“The closing stages are vague but I remember Alexander Hleb coming on to a game – he went on to play for Arsenal and Barcelona and was a real talent. We didn’t want him running at us late in the game! Bayern is one of those matches I remember but I’m not sure I can say it’s with real fondness.
“Sure, I scored from Didier’s cross but the team conceded twice to lose at the death and that’s what counted.
“It’s funny that after scoring with a header in Stuttgart I did the same in Munich. I wasn’t noted for my heading ability.
“It was a great feeling. The Olympic Stadium was one of the great venues and I remember it from watching so many big games there on TV.
“The end where I scored was where Marco van Basten netted his amazing volley in the Euro 88 final for Holland.
“I also remember John Robertson – by then my coach at Celtic – darting down the wing to cross for Trevor Francis to score the winner for Nottingham Forest against Malmo in the 1979 European Cup Final.
To play there was a thrill.”