Ancelotti [AC Milan Manager] would certainly welcome back Celtic to the Champions League on a regular basis, if only for their supporters. The sight of 10,000 Celtic fans giving their team a standing ovation at the end prompted Ancelotti to reflect that Scottish football followers could teach their Italian counterparts a lesson in loving the game. “This is what we need in Italy, this type of environment,” the Milan coach said. “This was the essence of sport. To hear the Celtic fans singing and chanting after the game was incredible.” – Ancelotti (AC Milan Manager 2007, Fri. March 9th London Times).
“Rangers or Celtic?
My first feeling was Celtic. When I was 13 years old I saw for the first time in my life a European Cup final – Inter against Celtic. That image is, even today, clear in my mind; that day, that game, Jimmy Johnstone, Riva… I was so impressed. When I was in Mozambique, far away from football in Europe, I always remembered that day and that team. Especially because when they started to play in the national stadium in Portugal I thought Celtic were Sporting Lisbon because they dressed like Sporting.”
Carlos Quieroz (Man U assistant manager)
William Gaillard (UEFA’s director of communications and public affairs) speaking after the European Cup final between Liverpool and AC Milan in 2007, was asked about what is going to be done in the future when another British club gets into the final and there is the same problems of fan behaviour/troubles getting into the ground. His answer?
“……Well, Celtic fans a couple of years ago went to Seville in the Uefa Cup Final and took over 3 times the amount of fans there. There was not one bit of trouble as all the fans that had no tickets stayed in the square and had a big party. Every team should follow Celtic’s fan behaviour and that mentality”
(William Gaillard, UEFA’s director of communications and public affairs, 24/05/07 Sky Sports News)
“Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries.”
Xavi (Barcelona midfielder)
“Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it”
Paolo Maldini (AC Milan & Italy legend)
“Celtic fans are some of the greatest supporters I know,” he said.
AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf (Oct 2007)
“Celtic have all the cool people supporting them. Rangers have me and Wet Wet Wet!!!”
Alan McGee’s lament on the great truth
(Alan McGee was the founder of Creation Records and the former manager of Oasis (who also happen to be Man City and Celtic fans))
“When I was at Porto my team also played in the UEFA Cup final against a Scottish side – but it was Celtic. I’ve never seen such emotional people. It was unbelievable!”
Jose Mourinho (ex-Porto Manager) looking back on the UEFA cup final 2003 (May 2008)
“You could take all the derby matches in the world and put them together and they still wouldn’t equal one-millionth of the Old Firm. There’s nothing like it.”
Paolo Di Canio
“Rangers or Celtic?
My first feeling was Celtic. When I was 13 years old I saw for the first time in my life a European Cup final – Inter against Celtic. That image is, even today, clear in my mind; that day, that game, Jimmy Johnstone, Riva… I was so impressed. When I was in Mozambique, far away from football in Europe, I always remembered that day and that team. Especially because when they started to play in the national stadium in Portugal I thought Celtic were Sporting Lisbon because they dressed like Sporting.”
Carlos Quieroz (Man U assistant manager)
William Gaillard (UEFA’s director of communications and public affairs) speaking after the European Cup final between Liverpool and AC Milan in 2007, was asked about what is going to be done in the future when another British club gets into the final and there is the same problems of fan behaviour/troubles getting into the ground. His answer?
“……Well, Celtic fans a couple of years ago went to Seville in the Uefa Cup Final and took over 3 times the amount of fans there. There was not one bit of trouble as all the fans that had no tickets stayed in the square and had a big party. Every team should follow Celtic’s fan behaviour and that mentality”
(William Gaillard, UEFA’s director of communications and public affairs, 24/05/07 Sky Sports News)
“Celtic, like Barcelona, are more than a football club. Our clubs are a symbol of a culture and community that has not always been made welcome in their respective countries.”
Xavi (Barcelona midfielder)
“Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it”
Paolo Maldini (AC Milan & Italy legend)
“Celtic fans are some of the greatest supporters I know,” he said.
AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf (Oct 2007)
“Celtic have all the cool people supporting them. Rangers have me and Wet Wet Wet!!!”
Alan McGee’s lament on the great truth
(Alan McGee was the founder of Creation Records and the former manager of Oasis (who also happen to be Man City and Celtic fans))
“When I was at Porto my team also played in the UEFA Cup final against a Scottish side – but it was Celtic. I’ve never seen such emotional people. It was unbelievable!”
Jose Mourinho (ex-Porto Manager) looking back on the UEFA cup final 2003 (May 2008)
“You could take all the derby matches in the world and put them together and they still wouldn’t equal one-millionth of the Old Firm. There’s nothing like it.”
Paolo Di Canio
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