Alan Thompson really believes that the atmosphere created by the impassioned home support at Celtic Park on a big European night is unlike anything else in football and he knows from personal experience just how inspiring it is for the bhoys in the green and white shirts and just how unsettling it is for opponents. "Believe me, the Arsenal players will be in for a culture shock when they arrive in Glasgow" he said. "Because it will be nothing like the Emirates or any other Premiership atmosphere because it's really spine-tingling stuff."
"When they are singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before the game, it is something that opposing teams are taken aback by." said Thompson. "It makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Night matches at Celtic Park under the floodlights are extraordinary. Without a doubt it's an enormous help to Celtic because the players have 60,000 fanatical supporters behind them because it gets your adrenaline going that little bit more and in big games like this that can count because the margins between success and failure and so slender." 
winner against Barcelona
Thompson, who is now an academy coach for Newcastle United, played a huge part in Martin O'Neil's successful Celtic team, winning four league titles, but the most vivid memories for him are of those European games. "We had some terrific nights when we took on the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan and Lyon when they were really flying and we had a lot of success," he said. "To understand how magnificent Parkhead is on a European night you just have to look at how good Celtic's record has been there in the Champions League over the years."
"Their record at home is fantastic." said Thommo. "And that in no small measure is down to the atmosphere which really is something else. Barcelona went there and won 3-2 a couple of seasons ago thanks to Lionel Messi and they won there 3-1 in my day and Dinamo Moscow won in Glasgow last month but otherwise Parkhead is a fortress."
"People are always writing off Scottish teams' chances when they take on English sides." he added. "But the facts suggest otherwise. When we were up again English teams such as Leeds and Arsenal in testimonials and Blackburn and Liverpool in the Uefa Cup we always got results and then against Man United and you don't get much tougher opposition than that. There might be a big difference in terms of the money on offer in the English and Scottish leagues but Celtic and Rangers on their day can match most teams south of the border."
Former England international Thompson was pleased to see Tony Mowbray appointed as the new boss at Celtic Park and he thinks they are a marriage made in heaven. "I was really pleased that Celtic appointed Tony." he said. "I have known him for a long time and even when he was at Hibs the way he got his team playing was, in my opinion, the right way. The only way.
"He moved to West Brom and did exactly the same." continued Thompson. "And made sure that his teams were good to watch. If he carries that on at Celtic then he should have a successful reign and it would be a real feather in his cap if his team qualified for the Champions League at Arsenal's expense. Most people would expect it to be a tight affair but I think it would be a good, open contest because both managers try to get their teams playing attractive football."
Celtic beat Dinamo Moscow away from home in the last round to progress to this Champions League playoff but Thommo doesn't know if the tactics used that night will be suitable against Arsenal. "Some would have thought the team would have been set up like it was in Russia." he said. "But then again Tony Mowbray might just think let's go for it because Arsenal's full-backs will push on and Celtic have wingers, most notably Aiden McGeady, who are capable of hurting any defender and so they might well get a bit of joy down the flanks."
Unfortunately, because of work commitments, Hunskelper Thommo will have to make do with a seat in front of the tv tomorrow but he'll be there in spirit alongside the Celtic faithful. "I'd love to be there." he said. "But we've got a lot of work on here at Newcastle so I don't think I'll be able to make it. It should be a cracking game."