There are not many players who get a standing ovation from Celtic Park after inflicting so much suffering. But, then again, there are not many players like Luka Modric.
Hoops fans know when they’ve been treated to something special and they responded the other night by elevating the little Croatian magician into rare company. There’s only a select few rival players who have been saluted by the Celtic faithful but perhaps Real Madrid 's Modric is the least surprising.
Alfredo De Stefano loved his reception in these parts in 1962 he invited Celts over for his testimonial five years late. Barcelona legend Andreas Iniesta got the claps from the home crowd as did AC Milan’s Kaka a few years earlier. Back in 1995 a Youri Djorkaeff-inspired PSG – before the Qatari millions were ploughed in – were applauded off the pitch after a 3-0 win. It was likewise the other night when Modric departed the scene after his masterclass against Ange Postecoglou's men and it was hardly a shock.
