BY OUR MAN IN GLASGOW
CELTIC PARK, GLASGOW—The famous roar of Celtic Park was silenced, replaced by a haunting chorus of boos and empty seats as AS Roma delivered a brutal 3-0 thrashing to Celtic in a soul-crushing Europa League encounter last night.
The legendary stadium, known globally as one of European football’s most electrifying cauldrons, became the stage for a disastrous defeat that saw new boss Wilfried Nancy suffer the ignominy of losing his first two games in charge.
The atmosphere was electric at kick-off, the passionate Parkhead faithful hoping to inspire a much-needed European win.
But the air of optimism was swiftly punctured after just six minutes when an own goal from Liam Scales put the visitors ahead.
The shock quickly turned to despair. Roma, managed by the wily Gian Piero Gasperini, were slick, clinical, and completely unfazed by the Glasgow setting.
The final minutes of the first half were a nightmare, with teenage sensation Evan Ferguson netting a quick-fire brace (36′, 45+1′) to send the Giallorossi into the break with a commanding three-goal lead.
The vitriol from the stands at the half-time whistle was aimed squarely at the performance, a damning reflection of the club’s European woes. Celtic Park, usually a place of terror for continental visitors, had turned toxic.
A missed penalty after the break compounded Celtic’s misery, and by the full-time whistle, the once-packed stands were sparsely populated, fans having voted with their feet.
The venue, which famously hosted Lisbon Lions and countless legendary European nights, was utterly subdued.
The only cheering came from the small, ecstatic band of travelling Roma fans who celebrated a clinical performance that leaves Celtic’s European future hanging by the slenderest of threads.
The great Celtic Park, the home of heroes, became a theatre of tears for the Hoops faithful as Roma departed having secured a famous victory on hallowed turf.
