Bastian Schweinsteiger has described Celtic Park as the “most impressive” atmosphere he has ever experienced on an away day in football.
The 121-capped Germany international was involved in some of the game’s greatest-ever matches during his trophy-laden career, including Bayern Munich’s 2013 Champions League final win at Wembley, Joachim Low’s 2014 World Cup winners at the Maracana, and the Euro 2008 final against eventual victors Spain.
The once midfield maestro has taken to the turf at the Juventus Stadium, Real Madrid’s Bernabeu, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, the San Siro, Old Trafford, Anfield, the Johan Cruijff ArenA, the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, and many, many more, but none of those impressed him more than a certain ground at Parkhead.
Despite not actually having the pleasure of playing at Celtic’s famed ground in the East End of Glasgow, Schweinsteiger was, in fact, present at the stadium when his Bayern Munich side clashed with the Scottish club in the 2003 Champions League, in which he took on the role of unused substitute as a goalless stalemate transpired.
Back then, Schweinsteiger was a precocious talent still finding his feet under two-time Champions League-winning coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who failed to outfox Martin O’Neill’s Bhoys on that autumnal evening in Glasgow, but despite the dull affair on the pitch, events off the field left a mark on the young midfielder.
It will come as no surprise to hear Schweinsteiger’s latest endorsement of Celtic’s world famous atmosphere. Barcelona immortal Andres Iniesta recently recommended current Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi to join the club after his own experience at the stadium.
“I remember that well,” Iniesta said of Barca’s infamous defeat at Celtic during the 2012/13 Champions League group stages.
“One goal from a corner and another on the counter. Football is wonderful for reasons like these – the team who has the ball or the better players doesn’t always win.
“I’ll never forget playing against Celtic, either. The atmosphere is one of the best in the world. I was fortunate to play there several times and it was always so intense.
“It was an honour to play amid such incredible noise.”
Schweinsteiger has now thrown his weight behind Celtic’s decibel-defying audience. During a Q&A on Twitter he was asked by a fan: “Which stadium atmosphere at away games was the most impressive?”
To which he responded: “Celtic Glasgow. This was impressive.”
Celtic Glasgow. This was impressive!! ?? https://t.co/4dh9mYJyA8
— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) September 14, 2021