Legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley believes Celtic Park and Anfield are tough to beat when it comes to a big game atmosphere – but believes Celtic Park just edges out the Merseyside venue.
Tyldesley joined Nathan and Kevin on Thursday night’s football show to share some of the highs and lows of his career in commentary.
Liverpool edged out Manchester City at a raucous Anfield on Wednesday night to take one step into the Champions League semi-finals.
But European nights in Glasgow at Celtic Park are hard to surpass when it comes to Tyldesley.
“I think there are certain atmospheres abroad that are just different,” Tyldesley told Off The Ball.
“You’ll have experienced different nights in Turkey and In Greece, and it’s just different. But Celtic Park and Anfield on European nights take a little bit of beating, they really do.
“But if I was really pushed, I think Parkhead might just have the edge on it [Anfield] on a big European night.
“Liverpool is less raw. I’m not talking about the incident before the game – which is actually totally unrelated to football passion – it was just criminal activity.
“It was ridiculous the way it was whipped up to give Manchester City a reception. Sometimes we have to watch the hyperbole in sport, let alone football, because the consequences can be pretty dire.
“But within the stadium, Liverpool has almost a melodrama for a big game at Anfield. [The] incredible banners on the Kop; it makes you wonder how many hours and days people have spent [on them], particularly the haunting image of Bob Paisley which has been on a flag there for years and years.
“There is that sense of occasion at Celtic Park and Anfield which almost demands a show: put on a show for us, we’re putting on a show for you, you put on a show for us.”
Listen to the full Football Show podcast on Off The Ball below:
Written by James Hopper
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