CELTIC have been ordered to play in their third strip in Seville tonight.
The team will have to forego the traditional green and white hoops to wear the predominantly white kit with the alternating green and candy pinstripes while Real Betis will be told to turn out in their second team gear which is light blue.
UEFA have taken the steps to make sure there is no colour clash in the Europa League section which has been dubbed ‘The Green Group’ with all four competing teams – including Bayer Leverkusen and Ferencavros – playing in mainly green strips. The German and Hungarian clubs will also be wearing alternative kits this evening when they meet in the other tie.
It’s not the first time, of course, Celtic and their opponents have both been told to change their first-team gear in a high-profile encounter. Back in 2001, two goals from Henrik Larsson and one from Jackie McNamara gave Martin O’Neill’s men a 3-0 Scottish Cup Final win over Hibs at Hampden.
The Celts were kitted out in their gold top that afternoon, but by the time they went up to collect their trophy they had changed into the more recognisable and world famous green and white hoops.
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