TALKING CELTIC v BAYERN MUNICH, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GRO
THE particular alchemy created under the floodlights on a European night at Celtic Park has been well documented, but for Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers there is a particular privilege about leading out a team in Europe’s premier competition.
The glitz and glamour of the contemporary Champions League is removed from the traditional format of the former European Cup, but the relationship that Celtic enjoy with the competition has never been diluted.
Citing his own memories of scratchy 1980s radio transmissions as he lent an ear to the tranny, the Celtic manager is cognisant of the weight of expectation that the Parkhead side carry regardless of the reputation and magnitude of the teams they are facing.
Rodgers will lead Celtic out against Bayern Munich, one of the great powerhouses of the tournament, tomorrow night and he will do so looking for Celtic Park to play its own particular role in however the 90 minutes unfolds.
“The legend around it all is great,” said Rodgers.
“My earliest European memory of Celtic was when they played Nottingham Forest,” said Rodgers of the 1983 clash between the Parkhead side and Brian Clough’s fabled side. “I remember Celtic going to the City Ground and drawing 0-0. Then they came back to Paradise and lost 2-1.
“That was my first recollection of a European game.
“Later in my career I became friendly with Neil Webb and Steve Wrigley who scored at Celtic Park and they spoke about that night a lot.
“Cloughie brought the team up early and they were getting changed and the Forest players heard the noise from the fans inside the stadium and they were getting pretty nervous. “The place was rocking. ‘Then they heard this noise banging on the changing room door.
“Danny McGrain then piped up: ‘Right Clough let’s get this show on the road’.
“Clough just kept talking and giving his team talk.
“There was more banging on the door.
“Danny put his head around the door and again said: ‘Right Clough let’s get this show on the road’. The door swung open and supposedly Clough said: ‘Young man, you will wait for us as we are the show’!”
WHATEVER drama will unfold tomorrow night inside the stadium, Rodgers is confident that there is a role on the sidelines to play. It is overstated to suggest that experienced players who perform at the very top level are anything other than enthused by atmospheric surrounds but there is something in the air around Celtic Park on a Champions League night that creates a particular energy.
“I have been very lucky in my managerial career to have worked in the Champions League for Liverpool which has a great stadium with a great atmosphere,” said Rodgers.
“You go to places like the Allianz Arena and the Nou Camp and that is fantastic but there is nothing to compare with the noise of Celtic Park on a Champions League night.
“There is a rawness about Celtic Park. My English guys when they came up they asked me ‘Who has rolled in the hyenas?’ It is just the noise.
“That is just sheer passion and will for the team.
“The history of the players that speak about the atmosphere of playing at Celtic Park is not a myth.
“Guys like Paolo Maldini have spoken about this and said that you have to at least play at Celtic Park once in your life as a professional
“The Messi’s and Iniesta’s of this world have said the same.
“You look at the Champions League match against Man City and it is j ust a phenomenal atmosphere and it can move a player and unsettle a player.
“We saw that in Manchester City game.”
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