FOOTBALL has changed beyond recognition since those unforgettable evenings at Parkhead when Tom Boyd helped Celtic to humble some of the European game’s most revered clubs.
The spending power of the continent’s elite, of Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United and others, was always far greater than that of the Scottish champions during the versatile defender’s heyday.
Now, however, the gulf in the finances between the Glasgow club and those they entertain on Champions League nights is vast and the chances of triumphing in matches and progressing further in the competition much smaller.
Read more: MacLeod: Every chance Celtic hammer Rangers again
But as he looked ahead to the Group C meeting with Borussia Moenchengladbach of Germany tomorrow evening Boyd pointed out that one thing remains identical with his day – the raw energy of the crowd.
A sell-out crowd certainly roared Brendan Rodgers’s side to a 3-3 draw with the multi-millionaires of Manchester City in their last European outing earlier this month and Boyd is optimistic they can do the same this time out.
“You would hope that if Celtic can get a result against Manchester City they can get a result against Borussia Moenchengladbach,” he said. “But they need the same level of performance. And the backing of the fans.
Read more: MacLeod: Every chance Celtic hammer Rangers again
“But I know it will be there. That makes it a special night. There is always a fantastic atmosphere. When you consider some of the teams that have come in the Champions League, world-class teams with world-class players, European champions, they have often gone away with nothing. We have got a fantastic record in the Champions League.
“The results have certainly been aided and abetted by the fans’ backing. When you see the influence that fans can have you do ask: ‘Can we take Celtic Park to away fixtures?’ We seem to be transformed when we play at Celtic Park.
“Is it the spirit of the place? The European win that we achieved so many years ago that we are heading into the 50th anniversary of? Whatever it is, the players certainly feel what the fans give.”
Boyd added: “Listen, what we want is the same level of performance and commitment. Brendan has certainly turned it around. It is night and day in terms of where we have been. He level of performance by a lot of the players is much better. He has added some quality. It now looks as though we have competition.
“It is happy days for the players that they have got these games coming around. Because we haven’t been there for a couple of years they are taking advantage of it and getting back to where they were in terms of the performances at Celtic Park. We want to get a victory because that would set us up nicely for at least a Europa League place.”
Boyd is now a Celtic ambassador and a regular attender at the Parkhead club’s games both home and away and, like so many fellow supporters, he has been stunned at the performances of Kieran Tierney under Rodgers this season.
He feels the youngster, who was outstanding in the draw with City, will be a key player for Celtic as they look to defeat Moenchengladbach and increase their chances of finishing third in their section and securing a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
“Kieran’s making stunning progress,” he said. “I was going to say the goal he nearly scored at the weekend was reminiscent of me - but it was more like Archie Gemmill. The way he can beat players, he’s turning in to an auxiliary winger almost. He’s a throwback.
“You see a lot of modern full backs who love to get forward, but Kieran can defend as well. He loves a tackle so he’s got everything in his locker. He is adding to the overall quality at the club at the moment.
Read more: MacLeod: Every chance Celtic hammer Rangers again
“There’s so many players there now who are playing at the top of their form. Kieran and Leigh were the guys who performed at that level all last campaign and they are maintaining it this year. In Kieran, he might be even better.
“He reminds me of Danny McGrain in his ability to tackle - but I can’t remember Danny ever going in to the penalty box like Kieran. In an attacking sense you could say he’s even better than Danny then, in that he’s far more comfortable going forward.
“But Danny was a world class defender. Kieran’s a young lad with loads of potential and you want to see more from him.
“He’ll get tested against Monchengladbach. You saw how he coped with (Raheem) Sterling in the City game. That was a right good ding dong battle and Kieran gave as good as he got against a top class player. Neither of them gave an inch.”
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