Salzburg boss Marco Rose has insisted his side are looking forward to the noise at Celtic Park tonight, impressed by the atmosphere the stadium evokes even without supporters.
Celtic fans have the ability to turn Paradise into a cauldron of noise on nights like these, but hopefully by the end of the 90 minutes our Austrian visitors see it as a place to endure rather than enjoy.
As quoted by The Daily Record, Salzburg manager Rose said of tonight’s match:
We are in first place but it is not all about winning six games, we want to be part of a great game tomorrow. I think everyone who comes here tomorrow have earned that right to experience a great game.
It is a very cool stadium, you can feel the atmosphere even without the supporters. Even in the locker rooms you can breathe in the atmosphere. The supporters are notorious, amazing. We are happy to be here, but we also want to show that we are rightfully here.
It’s obviously pleasing to hear outsiders deliver praise to the club, the facilities and the supporters but we’ve heard this time and again before big European nights, only to see the opposition pick up a heartbreaking European result.
The atmosphere tonight must vibrant, noisy, colourful and when Salzburg are in possession it must be uncomfortable for them and inspiring to Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Salzburg are on a tear this season and not only have they won all five of their Group B matches in the UEFA Europa League so far, they’re also unbeaten in their last 28 matches in all competitions.
Thankfully, after the win away to Rosenborg and at home to Leipzig, we only need a point to make it into the last 32 of the competition.
We have a fantastic opportunity to secure knockout European football, which is always our lofty aim at the start of every season.
Can the team respond to our ‘notorious’ fans and bring the heat to Salzburg?
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