KASPER SCHMEICHEL admits experiencing the ear-splitting din at Parkhead on European nights has “exceeded his expectations.”
The 38-year-old legendary Denmark international keeper has been blown away by the raucous atmosphere under the lights in the east end of Glasgow when the fans’ passion and backing for the club hit stratospheric levels.
Without getting involved in the off-field tensions surrounding the club at the moment, Schmeichel acknowledges the importance of having the supporters solidly behind the players with peace breaking out and the planned 29 minutes of silence being scrapped for the time being.
CELTIC VIEWS…Kasper Schmeichel talks to the media. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
So the experienced netminder, who joined the Hoops on a free transfer from Anderlecht in the summer of 2023, is looking forward once again to performing against Sporting Braga at Parkhead this evening with the famous wall of noise reverberating around all four corners of the stadium.
Schmeichel said: “There’s nothing quite like this here. It doesn’t really matter where I’ve played. I haven’t really played in atmospheres that are much better than what we generate in here.
“It exceeded my expectations. I hadn’t been in the stadium for a Champions League game or a European night, but I’d obviously watched them on TV.
“Through speaking to people and players and coaches who’ve been here, you hear about them.
“But once you’re actually in there and you can practically not hear yourself think, you just realise it’s special.
“If you can’t love those kind of experiences then you’re in the wrong sport.”
Schmeichel, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I always look at the opposition bench and when you see players that have played all over the world, their eyes light up, thinking: ‘Wow, this is special’.
THOU SHALT NOT PASS…Great Dane Kasper Schmeichel has conceded just two goals in nine games this season.
“It just goes to confirm what my belief is, that there is a much better atmosphere when this place is rocking. I’ve always said it – it’s our biggest strength.
“It’s the atmosphere that’s able to be generated and that’s why we need everybody together to go far in this competition and use every kind of advantage we can.
“That’s one of our biggest advantages – our support.”
Schmeichel added: “You’re always wanting to win trophies, you’re always wanting to get to those stages with a club like this.
“We hope that we can get deep into the competition and give the fans another night like that.
“I got to the semi-final in the Conference League, quarter-final of the Champions League.
“At Leicester City, we lost 1-0 to Roma away and they went on to win the competition.
“Europe is just special. We’re going to go for it, for sure. I just hope that we can play enough good football and score enough goals to get people onside.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Sporting Braga this evening – only in your champion CQN.
