Celtic Champions League roar is 'animalistic' as Alistair Johnston spots same thing from every opponent

It's been 30 years since Celtic Park had its major makeover and said farewell to its famous terrace.

But three decades on, Alistair Johnston reckons Parkhead is still a jungle on Champions League nights. The Canada star is gearing up for another epic under the lights in Glasgow’s East End with Club Brugge in town and the Hoops out to take a huge step towards qualification from the league phase. Johnston reckons there is nothing quite like Celtic Park on Champions League evenings. Not even close.

The 26-year-old grew up watching this competition from afar, racing home from school and begging his mum to allow him to tune in to the action – including Celtic games. He could tell even then from watching on the television there was something different about the place. Now he’s experienced it, the defender is completely hooked on the thunderous atmosphere. And Johnston reckons there’s something that’s not even HUMAN about Celtic Park on these nights – where the roars from the stands can make even experienced rivals fear a mauling.

He said: “When you walk out there and you hear that anthem, the noise that the fans make is almost inhumane. It’s guttural and ANIMALISTIC in a way – just the scream when the Champions League anthem happens.

“You can see it with the other team, the reactions when they hear it for the first time. It really is a special atmosphere that's created there. It's something as a footballer that I grew up watching and seeing.

“When Celtic were playing in the Champions League, you'd want to put it on because you want to see the atmosphere. Some of the best games I've ever seen were Celtic Park Champions League matches, just for the atmosphere. You can just see what it gives that power to the players, that