Scottish Premiership champions Celtic will host Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League clash at Parkhead on Thursday.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Stiliyan Petrov has pointed out one advantage that Celtic have in their daunting Europa League clash against Valencia – their fans.
The Hoops are set to face Los Che over two legs in the last 32 of the Europa League in a repeat of the infamous UEFA Cup clash from all the way back in 2001.
Valencia could call upon the world class talents of Roberto Ayala, Santiago Canizares and Pablo Aimar that night 18 years ago and, while their squad is not quite as fearsome these days, Marcelino Garcia Toral can still field some exceptional footballers.
The Spanish giants are certainly the favourites on paper but Petrov has backed Celtic ahead of Thursday’s first leg at Parkhead, pointing out that Valencia’s players could be left quaking in their boots by a sea of green and white.
“Valencia might not be the team they were in 2001 but they are still a top Spanish side with a lot of talent,” the former Bulgaria international told the Daily Record.
“But what Celtic do have is Celtic Park. It’s a special place and incredible things can happen there. We’ve seen it so many times over the years.
“The fans start from the first minute and it really lifts the players. It’s electric.”
What Petrov has failed to mention, however, is that Valencia’s Mestalla stadium can be a real cauldron of noise on European nights, too.
Los Che have some of the most passionate and vocal supporters anywhere on the continent, so Celtic could really do with getting a good result under their belts before they make the return trip to Spain.
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