ROBERTO Martinez believes a Europa League clash between Everton and Celtic would draw a sell-out 60,000 crowd to Parkhead.
Both clubs are in the last 32 of the tournament and the draw will be made by Uefa a week tomorrow. Celtic's group games against Dinamo Zagreb, FC Astra and Red Bull Salzburg have drawn modest attendances and the stadium's top tier has not been opened for the ties. But in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Herald, Everton manager Martinez said he had no doubt that a meeting between his club and the Scottish champions would capture the imagination of both sets of supporters.
"Celtic are a real, strong force in European football," he said. "They would be tough opposition, absolutely. Any team that finishes second in a [Europa League] group has big enough potential to beat you. Celtic? We all know they are supported and how well they travel. Everton against Celtic? I think it would be big."
Martinez also spoke about coming close to being made Celtic's manager in 2009, only to move instead to Wigan Athletic. Celtic appointed Tony Mowbray, but Martinez praised the club and said his style of football would have been a perfect fit at Parkhead.
"Definitely. I was very, very impressed by everyone at that football club. It just wasn't to be, even though that was a real example of the way they have as a football club, of being forward-thinking."
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