Former Ibrox star Thomas Buffel knows first hand the atmosphere following Rangers’ Old Firm clashes against Celtic.
Rangers fan favourite Thomas Buffel has warned Celtic’s Champions League opponents Anderlecht that playing at Parkhead is like facing 14 mean, when speaking to the Scottish Herald.
Buffel, 36, played for Rangers for three years, going up against Celtic three times at Parkhead between 2005 and 2008, as he wore the number seven shirt for the Light Blues.
Still playing for Belgian side Genk, Buffel warned one of the biggest sides of his home country as they prepare to face Celtic on Tuesday night in Group B of the competition with a mammoth task ahead of them.
Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side must beat the Bhoys by three or more goals to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League and finish in third of the group, after the Hoops earned a 3-0 win in Belgium.
Buffel, who also played for the likes of Feyenoord and Cercle Brugge, spoke of the passion of Celtic fans and believes the noise that the Hoops faithful produce can provide the same effect as having three extra players.
“The stadium is always packed; 60,000 Scots who sing loudly – that makes an impression. The fans are atmosphere makers,” Buffel said.
“The stands are also designed so that you have 360 degree ambiance and passion. So it seems like you don’t have to take on twelve, but are against fourteen men.”
Celtic should have no trouble in qualifying for Europa League football after Christmas, with home advantage likely to be a key factor in determining the outcome of the match.
Brendan Rodgers must instruct his side to keep the likes of Leander Dendoncker, Łukasz Teodorczyk and Henry Onyekuru quiet on Parkhead, if the Hoops are to ease into the last 32 of the competition.
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