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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Giorgos Giakoumakis can't wait for Celtic Park Champions League nights under the lights

Giorgos Giakoumakis admits he can't wait to sample Champions League nights under the lights at Parkhead.

Celtic's Scottish Premiership triumph this campaign means they will enter Europe's premier competition at the group stages.

The Hoops have been undone in the past during the qualification process.

But they will be welcoming huge European nights back to Celtic Park next season.

The atmosphere generated by the Parkhead faithful has been recognised over the years by players past and present, who have shared nothing but high praise when talking about their Glasgow experiences.

Giakoumakis has sampled the elite competition with AEK Athens during his career but admits he can't even begin to imagine what it is going to be like in Glasgow's east end.

He said: “It’s the top competition a player can participate in.

"Everyone wants to compete at that level.

“I love it. I managed to play a couple of games in the Champions League with AEK Athens and it was a special experience.

“When you hear that anthem, you lose your mind. It’s amazing.

“The atmosphere in Athens when we played Ajax was incredible. The AEK fans are insane and the atmosphere they create is incredible.

“But I can’t even imagine what Celtic Park will be like with these fans. I think it will be crazy.

“The experiences we have had this season cannot be compared with anywhere.

"It’s not even close.

“Playing in the Champions League is something you dream of from being a child.

"I played it already for a great team like Athens, but here it is going to be special.”

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