CELTIC Park is a special place to be on Champions League nights, with the atmosphere leaving most visiting players astounded.
However, former Hoops striker, Chris Sutton, believes there’s more to these European nights than just the atmosphere. Speaking on the “It’s All Kicking Off” podcast, he argued that the result should always be paramount.
Sutton reminisced about the club’s golden era under Martin O’Neill when visiting teams would often leave Celtic Park empty-handed, while experiencing a great atmosphere. He expressed his desire for Celtic to return to such triumphant times.
While Celtic’s recent European record might not be as stellar, having not secured a home victory since their 2-1 win over Ajax during the 2013/14 campaign, their away win against Anderlecht in 2017/18 stands out.
It’s a sequence Brendan Rodgers must be eager to amend, with the Celtic fans so deprived of a win in the elite competition.
Chris Sutton said: “I’ve got to say, Celtic Park, back in the day Champions League nights under Martin O’Neill we had a phenomenal record at Celtic Park. And it’s a special place to play.
“Something that really bugs me at this moment in time is on the European nights at Celtic Park, everybody talks about the atmosphere, and I do want Celtic to get back to actually winning home games in the Champions League.
“I think that’s important because everybody talks about, ‘Oh, you know great atmosphere, great nights at Celtic Park’, well winnings quite important.
“So when my sons go up, my sons are Celtic fans, go up to some of the games and I always used to say get in 20 minutes before the start of the game. That’s the best part, but you don’t want that to be the best part.”
