This season is the most important season in Celtic’s history. It surpasses the previous nine in a row, all other treble winning seasons and is up there with the European Cup win of 1967. Ten in a row and a quadruple treble are two milestones that have never been done in European football and along the way the fans have played a massive part in these historic successes.
Due to the global pandemic, Celtic fans have had to watch the team from the comfort of their own homes whilst the players perform in an empty stadium and in my opinion, recent performances, especially in Europe, are showing the team is struggling without that will from the fans.
Recently, against AC Milan, Celtic found themselves two goals down against Milan at Paradise in the Europa League. Elyounoussi pulled one back in the 76th minute, teeing up Parkhead for a memorable finish, had the crowd been in attendance, would the Hoops have pulled off another famous victory? We will sadly never know.
Lets have a look at some of the games where the Parkhead cauldron of noise has inspired the Celtic team to some truly memorable European victories.
CELTIC 4-3 JUVENTUS: 1st November 2001
In a night were Celtic dropped out of the Champions League, the Hoops still managed to record a famous victory over the Old Lady of Italian football. As Trezeguet, Del Pierro, Nedved, Zenoni and Tacchinardi paid their visit to Paradise in what will go down as one of the most thrilling games witnessed at Parkhead. Del Piero was was outstanding that night but two goals from Sutton and one from Larsson and Valgaeren wasn’t enough to keep Celtic in the Champions League as Rosenborg’s defeat to Porto sent the Parkhead club crashing out and into the Uefa Cup.
CELTIC 1-0 BARCELONA: 11th March 2004
A game probably more famous for the infamous punch up in the tunnel, Celtic played host to the superstars of Barcelona. Saviola, Ronaldinho, Xavi, Motta and Puyol all graced the Parkhead turf. The game saw three players sent off with Rab Douglas and Thiago Motta saw read for an incident in the tunnel and Saviola had an early bath after a cynical tackle on Alan Thompson. It was Thompson finish from a Larsson knock down on the 65th minute that saw Celtic knock out the Catalan giants and progress in the then UEFA Cup.
CELTIC 1-0 MAN UTD: 21st November 2006
Celtic ease past the glamourous Manchester Utd 1-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League in probably the most stunning end to a game ever witnessed at Parkhead. With Rooney, Giggs, Saha, Ronaldo, Van der Sar and Rio Ferdinand, United came with a massive reputation as kings of English football. On the 80th Minute, Shunsuke Nakamura scored what is arguably one of the finest free kicks you will ever see, from 30 yards into the top corner past a flailing Van Der Sar sending the Parkhead crowd delirious. In a fitting finale, Artur Boruc saved a last minute penalty from Saha sending the Hoops into the Champions League knock out stages for the first time.
CELTIC 2-1 AC MILAN: 3rd October 2007
In a game were Celtic were massive underdogs to a star studded AC Milan side, three points were crucial as the Hoops had lost their opening Champions Leage match agaist Shakhtar 2-0 a fortnight earlier. Celtic took the lead in the 62nd minute when Stephen McManus scored from a corner but the lead was cut short six minutes later when Kaka equalised from a penalty. But in the 89th minute with the Parkhead crowd willing the team on, Scott McDonald pounced as Dida scrambled away a Gary Caldwell shot from outside the box sending Paradise wild.
CELTIC 2-1 BARCELONA: 7th November 2012
Another epic clash against a Barcelona team which heralded the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Pique this was always going to one of those nights that when Celtic had the ball they would need to be clinical with it and they did not disappoint. In a famous night for the infamous Tony Watt, Celtic upset the odds when they took the lead thru Victor Wanyama on the 21st minute. In the 83rd minute Tony Watt doubled the lead with a sublime finish and Messi pulled one back in the dying minutes. Barcelona had 83% possession, 18 shots at goal and made almost 1000 passes in a game at Parkhead the Catalan giants dominated but the Bhoys alongside a manic Parkhead crowd defied the odds with a famous victory.
There is absolutely no doubt the Celtic supporters drive and inspire their team on and the team will hopeful of a return of crowds to Parkhead sooner, rather than later.