Oliver Burke, Timo Weah and Jeremy Toljan have all enjoyed their introduction to Scottish Football. Burke and Weah have been quite vocal in their appreciation of the Celtic support to date. But they have not seen or heard anything yet. That will all change on Thursday night at Paradise.
Celtic’s worldwide reputation is built on the back of European nights and Derby games at Celtic Park. A fixture in the last 32 of the Europa League’s knockout stages will ensure all new players will get the full Celtic treatment on Thursday. We probably shouldn’t forget Vakoun Issouf Bayo on our list of newbies. If something other than money is going to turn players heads it can only be playing at Celtic Park on a European night. (continues below…)
Dortmund and PSG can certainly put on a show in Europe, but nothing compares to Celtic Park. Weah and Toljan will have to do something incredible to push their way into becoming first-team regulars at their clubs.
We already know that Valencia fans will not be shown up at Celtic Park on Thursday night. The La Liga team dropped more points again today at home. A sellout Parkhead crowd can give eleven players that little bit extra on the pitch. Celtic will certainly need a result to take with them to Spain a week later.
If Celtic manage a win on Thursday night the new Bhoys will have a whole new experience in the Hoops. Celtic fans are still waiting to hear if Oli Burke will make the starting eleven after he starred and then hobbled off today with an ankle injury.
All the build-up starts now. Believe the hype.
