Celtic Park has been graced by world class opposition players over the years
Editor
Ronaldinho is challenged by Shunsuke Nakamura (R) and Stephen McManus during the UEFA Champions League First Knockout Round First Leg match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on February 20, 2008. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
We’ve seen some great opposition players over the last two decades at Celtic Park. Here’s a decent fantasy XI with photographs of them playing in Paradise…
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster consoles Barcelona player Lionel Messi after a near miss during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on November 7, 2012. (Photo Getty Images)
There’s been a lot of hysteria over Cristiano Ronaldo appearing at St Mirren’s ground for a training session with Portugal, and understandably as he’s one of the biggest footballing names on the planet.
It got me thinking as to who is the biggest opponent you’ve seen strut their stuff at Paradise, well it’s a hard question as we’ve seen so many world class players appear at our stadium throughout the years.
Narrowing it down to just one name would be a difficult task, so I’ve complied a starting XI that features some of the biggest names ever to have played the game who have all played at Celtic Park this century….
Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Celtic and Juventus at Celtic Park on February 12, 2013. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
In goals would be the legendary Gianluigi Buffon…
Jackie McNamara of Celtic clashes with Carles Puyol of Barcelona during the UEFA Cup Fourth Round, First Leg match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on March 11, 2004 (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)Substitute Nemanja Vidic of Inter Milan looks on during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match between Celtic FC and FC Internazionale Milano at Celtic Park on February 19, 2015. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Press cutting
The three man defence would consist of Carles Puyol, Nemanja Vidic, and the great Paulo Maldini…
Andrea Pirlo and Scott Brown of Celtic exchange words during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Celtic and Juventus at Celtic Park on February 12, 2013. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The four man midfield would be a central two of Andrea Pirlo and Andres Iniesta with David Silva and Ronaldinho either side of them providing the skill and flair.
Ronaldinho is challenged by Dianbobo Balde during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park on September 14, 2004. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Andres Iniesta holds off Scott Brown during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and FC Barcelona at Celtic Park on October 1, 2013. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)David Silva runs with the ball under pressure from Nir Bitton during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Manchester City at Celtic Park on September 28, 2016. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
The front three is a mouthwatering one with Alessandro Del Piero, the man himself Cristiano Ronaldo, and the brilliant Lionel Messi completing a side that is not only packed with talent, but some of the greatest players ever to have played the game, and we have been extremely lucky to have seen them in the flesh.
Alessandro del Piero of Juventus celebrates his goal during the Champions League game between Celtic and Juventus at Celtic Park, Photo: Laurence Griffiths/ALLSPORTLee Naylor and Shunsuke Nakamaura track Cristiano Ronaldo during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and Manchester United at Celtic Park November 21, 2006 (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and FC Barcelona at Celtic Park Stadium on November 23, 2016 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Before you ask, Henrik Larsson wasn’t considered for this fantasy XI that have all played at Celtic Park because he’d be in our 20th century Celtic team to take this lot on. Wonder who Tony Ralston will be marking?
Just an Ordinary
Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!
