Who is Celtic: Profiling AEK Athens’ Champions League opponents

On Wednesday, AEK Athens begin their 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League campaign against perennial Scottish champions Celtic. Ahead of the battle, AGONAsport takes a closer look at the Kitrinomavri’s opponents.

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BACKGROUND

Nowadays, Celtic aren’t one of the leading European clubs in terms of results on the pitch in continental competition, but the organisation boasts a proud history. Founded on November 6, 1887 by Irish Marist Brother Andrew Kerins, the team have enjoyed plenty of success in their 130-year existence, in particular winning 49 Scottish championships, 38 Scottish Cups, 17 Scottish League Cups and - most importantly - the 1967 European Cup with a 2:1 win over Internazionale in the showpiece match. Celtic also competed in the 1970 European Cup final, dropping a close 1:2 defeat to Feyenoord, before reaching the 2003 UEFA Cup final where they 2:3 lost against Porto. In 1970, Celtic participated in the Intercontinental Cup with Racing Club, losing 0:1 after the first two matches ended 2:2 on aggregate.

Mainly due to religious reasons, Celtic share a bitter rivalry with Rangers, but since the latter suffered crippling financial issues in 2012, the Bhoys have easily won the Scottish Premiership every year and are currently on a seven-season winning streak. In the 2017/2018 campaign, they ran away with the league title, finishing a distant nine points ahead of nearest challengers Aberdeen. The club tasted glory in the Scottish Cup and League Cup to reign supreme with an impressive treble.
 

On the European front, the Hoops took third place in Group B of the Champions League, beating Anderlecht but falling short against Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich. Moving down to the UEFA Europa League, Celtic were beaten 1:3 on aggregate by Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Last 32.

Celtic play their home matches at their imposing Celtic Park stadium which possesses a capacity of 60,411. Famous for its intimidating and fanatical atmosphere, the arena is sold out on a regular basis and is always rocking with passionate supporters, especially on European nights. You can be sure that “Paradise” (the term fondly given to Celtic Park by the club’s fans) will be on top form for the visit of AEK.
 

Full name: The Celtic Football Club

Founded: November 6, 1887

Chairman: Ian Bankier

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Stadium: Celtic Park (capacity 60,411)

Titles won: 49 Scottish Championships, 38 Scottish Cups, 17 Scottish League Cups, 1 European Cup
 

HEAD COACH

45-year old Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers has been in charge of Celtic for the past two years, winning two Scottish Championships, Scottish Cups and Scottish League Cups along the way. Having earned plaudits for his work at Swansea, Rodgers was employed by Liverpool in 2012, but he couldn’t win a cup with the Reds and lost out on the Premier League trophy in agonising circumstances in 2014. At the start of his managerial days, he was employed by Chelsea, Watford and Reading.

Similar to many coaches, Rodgers was a player himself, playing for Ballymena United, Reading, Newport, Witney Town and Newbury Town as a semi-professional.
 

KEY PLAYERS

The Bhoys’ captain is 33-year old midfielder Scott Brown, the experienced Scotland international. Throughout his career, Brown has made an impression with his gritty play, not afraid to take out opponents with borderline tackles. In the centre of the park, he is a difficult figure to get past, standing his ground with force. AEK will try to nullify his strengths with clever, creative play.
 

Craig Gordon, who has 52 Scotland caps to his name, is Celtic’s starting goalkeeper and will attempt to keep AEK at bay in these two matches. A reliable player between the sticks, 35-year old Gordon signed for Celtic in 2014, participating in 124 Scottish Premiership matches with the club. On his day, he is capable of pulling off several fantastic stops.
 

Now 27 years of age, winger James Forrest was once considered Scotland’s hottest prospect, but instead of seeking a move abroad, he’s stayed at his boyhood club Celtic and is their main threat going forward. Forrest is blessed with excellent technical skills and can cause opposing defenders real headaches. Last season, the Scot registered 17 goals in 57 matches, a personal best.
 

Swedish defender Mikael Lustig, a participant at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, was snapped up by Celtic in January 2012 from Rosenborg and is an irreplaceable rock at right-back. French striker Moussa Dembele is a star attraction, but he will miss the two matches against AEK with an injury.
 

2018/2019 SEASON SO FAR

Celtic had to begin their 2018/2019 season in the Champions League first qualifying round, easing past Armenia’s Alashkert Yerevan 6:0 on aggregate, setting up a match-up with Rosenborg in the next phase. Initially, Celtic were on the back foot in Glasgow when the Norwegian champions grabbed a precious away goal, but they struck back with three of their own and finished the job with a 0:0 draw in Trondheim.

On Saturday, the Scottish Premiership began, and Celtic achieved a perfect start with a calm 3:1 win against Livingston at Celtic Park.
 

AEK’S HISTORY AGAINST SCOTTISH TEAMS

Interestingly, AEK have already played Scottish opposition on four occasions in European knockout ties, emerging the victors every time. Back in 1994, the Enosis defeated Rangers 3:0 on aggregate (Champions League), later getting the better of Hibernian 4:3 (UEFA Cup), Hearts 5:1 (Champions League) and Dundee United 2:1 (Europa League).
 

by Shaun Nicolaides

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