The Champions League is back at Celtic Park, the lights are about to go out – and the Hoops hope it will be Real Madrid’s.
The cavernous stadium in Glasgow’s east end will be plunged into darkness except for a green light shining on the famous Hoops huddle as European anthem Zadok the Priest rings round for the first time in five years. The sound will be deafening as the one-time winners meet the 14-times champions on a night that may never be forgotten.
Ange Postecoglou’s side face a Herculean task but will be hoping the footballing gods smile on Celtic’s swashbuckling style. The manager has been boosted by the news Kyogo Furuhashi trained on Monday – but will he start against Carlo Ancelotti’s galacticos?
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Giorgos Giakoumakis will be waiting in the wings but at least Postecoglou has options. After all, he’s going to need them. The Greek was in fine form on Matchday -1, refusing to burst the bubbles of Celtic fans who have been waiting for this day ever since the draw was made.
Here’s all you need to know about a massive match the world will be watching...
When and where is Celtic vs Real Madrid?
The opening Group F Champions League group stage match will be played at Celtic Park. The clash kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday, September 6.
What channel Celtic vs Real Madrid on?
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 3 and will receive the VIP treatment. If you are in the Republic of Ireland, the game is also available to watch on free-to-air RTE2.
Will there be a live stream?
Yes, you can live stream the action from the BT Sport app. You must be a subscriber to tune in on the app, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
Quotes corner
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “I love winning games of football, I love winning trophies, I love being part of groups that do that, and every challenge I have had along the way, I have seen that as an opportunity to do that.
“It’s not like I look back on my career and see these games I have been fortunate enough to be involved in as some sort of achievement. The achievement comes after.
“It’s about making an impact, being successful, winning games of football, and that’s where you get the significance of it more.
“I am lucky that I represent a football club that’s given me a platform to be in the best club competition in the world so from that perspective I am just like the players, I want to make the most of it.”
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti: “I don’t think Celtic will change their style or attitude on the pitch. They want to play attacking football. This is absolutely normal at their home.
“We are not worried to defend because we defend well and we have defended really well in the past.
“One of the key points of the triumph last season was to defend well sometimes.
“A team has to be able to defend well and that is what we would like to do on Tuesday.
“It’s obviously going to be a difficult game. They are a lot like us – they have a good dynamic at the moment. They play with a lot of intensity but we are prepared.
“We are ready for it and hopefully we get a victory in our first game.”
Betting odds
Celtic 7/2 Real Madrid 4/6 Draw 3/1
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