As Celtic Park welcomed the return of a full house of fans in tonight’s Europa League qualifier against Jablonec, the sense of anticipation from the supporters to return to Paradise was palpable.
It has been a long eighteen months since we have seen a capacity crowd and my God, was it worth it.
The signing, the dancing and the atmosphere was outstanding and I don’t know about you but when Walk On was belted out, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and a tear welled up in my eye. And I wasn’t even there!
Speaking to Celtic TV, aired at half time tonight, Hoops gaffer Ange Postecoglou spoke of his feelings on the return of fans to Paradise and gave the Celtic supporters a glowing tribute, “When you talk to the players and disappointment of on-field aside, that was the missing ingredient, the missing bit of why players want to play for this football club and why it is such a special place.
“I said before the game they really are the soul of the club and when they’re not there, there’s a massive disconnect with what it’s all about.
“So to have them back is great.”
And not many can argue with Ange’s thoughts there.
The fans are a massive part of this club. They are a massive part of the matchday experience and the European nights under the lights with a full house is legendary across Europe and how we have missed it.
As the late great Jock Stein says, “Football without fans is nothing”.