Coming of Age Day at Celtic Park

Celtic Park was packed with an expectant crowd 11 years ago when Celtic took a two goal lead into the second leg of a Champions League play-off round.  Many of us felt it was to be a sort of Coming of Age.  After our long hard slog throughout the 90s we were champions and ruthlessly swept aside Ajax in the first leg.

After the full time whistle arms were aloft in celebration but only after an incredibly tense 90 minutes which saw the visitors win the game and fail to convert some decent chances.

Four years after our last entry into the Champions League this new Celtic side have a Coming of Age opportunity tonight.  Last season they showed their mettle to overcome a daunting deficit early in the season to win as comfortable champions, with or without penalties applied to opponents for employing more footballers than they could afford.

While the players may reach a new stage in their development tonight is as much about the supporters who have been part of the struggle in recent seasons.  This is your reward for all those hard times when your club paid their bills but had victory snatched away from them by others who were playing to different rules.

Bring your singing voice tonight.