Celtic fans don’t need to do much Googling to find big name players saying nice things about the Parkhead atmosphere.
Hoops punters get a bit of playful stick for loving all that stuff but fair play, it’s nice when the likes of Lionel Messi, Zlatan and Xavi come out and declare the place as something special.
We know the usual lines.
Messi said: “I’ve been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic.”
Xavi gushed: “Walking out into that atmosphere is always intense. I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played.”
Zlatan salivated: “I did not hear what my team-mates said if they called me because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It’s probably the best.”
Supporters lap it up.
But you know what they didn’t say?
“Yeah, the noise was amazing, but did you see those flares? Pure magic, man.”
It’s because the fireworks and smoke bombs come way down the list when it comes to the reasons why Celtic Park does generate such a great atmosphere.
In fact, those things are probably at the bottom of the list.
Yet they are top of the pile when it comes to causing Celtic problems.
UEFA hand out fines for pyro like an over-officious traffic warden with a nagging wife and Parkhead chiefs have practically got a direct debit to Euro suits HQ in Nyon.
Local cops and councillors in Scotland are on to it as well and they were on the phone sharpish in the wake of the display against Rangers the other week.
Listen, there’s no doubt the flares look pretty and there’s something quite dramatic when the pitch is engulfed in smoke and there’s a whiff of cordite.
But it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
There’s a reason authorities all over the shop clamp down on this kind of thing. It’s kinda dangerous.
It would be a bit silly if some young lad ends up looking like Freddy Krueger after just going to the football.
It’s just not worth it.
And it’s not worth the hassle for Celtic either.
The standing section at Parkhead has been as big a success as it has been a pain in the backside for Hoops chiefs.
It’s helped create a lively atmosphere that undoubtedly intimidates away sides and inspires their own.
But the contract grief they get from the likes of UEFA and the Scottish cops can’t go on.
Celtic had to get special dispensation to get the green light for that corner. It could be taken away just as quickly if it continues to get out of hand.
At some point UEFA are going to start shutting stands. Imagine Celtic go deep in this Conference League and end up with the shutters up for a semi-final against Roma or something.
It would be grim.
The ultras end being shut on Sunday against Raith made a huge difference. John McGlynn admitted he was glad the place was flat, Ange Postecoglou refused to use it as an excuse for the performance but he’s not hidden the fact he loves the noise generated by that area – and the rest of the ground.
The Green Brigade are not the entire Celtic support. They are a loud part of it – and a chunk of the time it’s a positive force.
But there’s a sizeable amount of fans from the rest of the ground who wish they would reel it in at times.
Celtic will need Parkhead rocking again for Bodo/Glimt tomorrow night.
But the naughty corner needs to leave the players to produce fireworks on the pitch.
