21 superstars who worship at the 'Cathedral' of football – Celtic atmosphere ranked and rated by Messi and VIPs
The Hoops' home is regarded by a gallery of the finest players of this generation as the best in the world
Tales of the legendary atmosphere at Celtic Park on a Champions League night have been reverberated around the world, with none other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among the mega names who have wowed at the old ground down the years.
And the latest gushing appraisal has come from former Lyon and France hero Gregory Coupet, who has described the sheer crescendo of noise upon walking out at Parkhead as a 'cathedral effect'.
The seven-time Ligue 1 winner was between the posts when Lyon made the trip to Glasgow for a Champions League group stage tie in September 2003.
The stopper kept out a penalty from Alan Thompson but was beaten by goals from Liam Miller and Chris Sutton in either half as Martin O'Neill's Celtic ran out 2-0 winners.
Coupet played in many of the world's top stadiums during his 27-year-long playing career, winning 34 caps for France, including three outings at Euro 2008.
But the Frenchman is in no doubt that his visit to Celtic Park that night was the most magical experience he ever had on a football pitch.
He recently told L'Equipe: "I put Celtic above all because there is a cathedral effect, magnificent chants, no animosity. It's magical."
The former stopper has joined a long list of illustrious names who have marvelled about the atmosphere in the East End and Record Sport has delved into the archives to recall the ultimate recognition for one of European football's most iconic grounds.
Celtic's iconic atmosphere in quotes
Xavi
"The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtic's stadium for our visit was the most impressive I've ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was the best."
'When you step out at Celtic Park, the atmosphere they create for their team is incredible. It doesn't matter how many big games you have played in.
"Walking out into that atmosphere is always intense. I don't think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played."
Paolo Maldini
"Every professional footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never felt anything like it."
Lionel Messi
"I've been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic. The atmosphere their fans create make it a very special European night of football."
Nemanja Vidic
'Every game I have played in Turkey stands out for passion created by the fans – but the best has been at Celtic Park."
Oliver Kahn
"The atmosphere here tonight was unbelievable and it's an honour to play in such an arena."
Cesc Fabregas
'Celtic has great commitment and those supporters behind them gives them a chance against anyone. We knew what we were coming into and what we would be up against. For me it is always special to play in that fantastic stadium and to experience that atmosphere. We were privileged to be there.'
Gianluigi Buffon
"Playing in the Champions League allows you to experience the most exciting venues in Europe. And when you are young, you take it for granted because many other experiences lie in front of you. But the older you become, you understand that there are things that you may not experience again."
Steven Gerrard
"The incredible thing was the people, for an opposition player it is quite incredible, I have not seen a better atmosphere from the grounds I have visited."
Owen Hargreaves
"When we played at Celtic Park for Bayern in the Champions League it was unbelievable and I think all our players said the same thing afterwards. The atmosphere was just totally unique. I've played in lots of big games and stadiums but I've never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes."
Santiago Canizares
"The Celtic fans are amazing in the way they get behind their team."
Gerard Pique
"The atmosphere at Celtic Park is the best in Europe."
Karl-Heinz Ruminegge
"That was a football experience of pure culture. Throughout the night we felt goosebumps. It was an atmosphere that felt a bit like the old days. It was a terrific night."
"I was being asked several times which (away) stadium is my favourite. And there is a new number one, I can tell you, Celtic Park. It has been just crazy! We came out, and the atmosphere was good. The Champions League anthem started, and I thought the stadium was going to collapse. Unbelievable, I had never experienced anything like that."
Frank De Boer
"It's up there with Madrid and Camp Nou. They are an example how to run a club."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
'Then when I got out on the pitch and the match began, I tried to communicate with my team but I heard nothing. The audience had such a mood. I did not hear what my teammates said if they called me because it was such a beautiful and awesome atmosphere. It's probably the best I have seen on the pitch.'
Cristiano Ronaldo
"The Celtic fans are incredible. It is always great to play there."
Andres Iniesta
"The Celtic fans are very special and the club and players can be very proud of them. They are the best I have ever heard."
Wayne Rooney
'It is inspiring and intimidating. It's a stadium with a particular atmosphere you want to experience as a player.'
Eidur Gudjohnson
"When I signed for Bolton they presented me to the crowd before the Jimmy Phillips testimonial. The Celtic fans made an impression on me because there were more of them than Bolton supporters at that game. Celtic are popular for testimonials because everyone knows they will fill the stadium - and I've always had great admiration of them. Their fans have a reputation as one of the best and that's on merit because of the great atmosphere they create."
Samuel Eto'o
"This place makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, there is nowhere like it in football, and I can see how the people love to play here and speak so highly of it."
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