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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Ben Foster in Celtic Park 'genuinely scared' memory

Ben Foster has opened up on the Celtic Park atmosphere which left him quaking in his boots.

The veteran goalkeeper admits he was "genuinely scared" by the ferocity of the Hoops support when he made his Champions League debut for Manchester United in 2008.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw around 15 years ago, but it's had a lasting effect on the keeper.

Foster enjoyed a great career at the top level in the Premier League. 

He has now joined National League side Wrexham as they aim to gain promotion into the Football League.

But memories of his Parkhead bow still sit with him, as the ex-England keeper recalled a story former Hibs shot-stopper Graham Stack told him.

He told Yours Mine Anyway: "That was some atmosphere there. There are two atmospheres that have genuinely scared me. Parkhead is one.

"Graham tells this brilliant story from when he played for Hibs, and he said they would play against Celtic, and there was one game, in particular, they were winning 1-0.

"They were just about to take it into the 90th minute and he knew they were going to lose.

"Because the Celtic fans, they suck the ball into the goal, they are so loud and scary, and he could see all his teammates s******g themselves.

"They ended up losing 2-1 and the fans are what made them win, it was a force of nature. So, Celtic is one and the other is Besiktas."

Foster also heaped praise upon former England teammate Joe Hart.

He added: "We are talking Joe Hart in his pomp here, and for me, he is the best goalie I have seen up close. He is a genuine cat, springing everywhere, throwing weights around.

"Seeing him in his pomp was just a sight to behold. He was incredible, and he is a wicked lad, Joe is absolutely top and you can't begrudge him anything."

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