Kasper Schmeichel on the 'biggest advantage' Celtic have amid fan tensions with board

The Dane has loved soaked up the atmosphere of Glasgow's east end on European nights

Kasper Schmeichel insists there’s nothing quite like the Celtic Park atmosphere.

And right up until Wednesday night, it looked more than likely it was going to be nothing like a Celtic Park atmosphere.

Schmeichel is not a man to get involved in the off-the-field drama at Parkhead.

But he does know that having the punters back on side – even for the short term – is a major boost for tonight’s Braga clash.

The great Dane is well aware of what a fully fired up arena can bring – and what it does to opposition.

The wall of noise in Glasgow’s east end has become a bit of cliche over the years, but it doesn’t make it any less truly.

A succession of away players, coaches and staff have been caught on camera being taken aback by the racket and then spoke about the atmosphere in glowing terms afterwards, regardless of the results.

And that’s why Schmeichel will be thrilled it will be business as usual after fans groups called off plans for another silent protest against the board.

He said: “There’s nothing quite like this here. It doesn’t really matter where I’ve played. I haven’t really played in atmospheres that are much better than what we generate in here.

“It exceeded my expectations. I hadn’t been in the stadium for a Champions League game or a European night but I’d obviously watched them on TV.

“Through speaking to people and players and coaches who’ve been here, you hear about them.

“But once you’re actually in there and you can practically not hear yourself think, you just realise it’s special.

“If you can’t love those kind of experiences then you’re in the wrong sport.

“I always look at the opposition bench and when you see players that have played all over the world, their eyes light up thinking, ‘Wow, this is special’.

“It just goes to confirm what my belief is, that there is a much better atmosphere when this place is rocking.I’ve always said it – it’s our biggest strength.

“It’s the atmosphere that’s able to be generated and that’s why we need everybody together to go far in this competition and use every kind of advantage we can.

“That’s one of our biggest advantages – our support.”

Schmeichel’s word only highlights the point fans are making to an under-fire board who are hoping to ride out the storm.

But in the meantime his focus has to be on the pitch and making the most of the crack at the Europa League. While boss Brendan Rodgers has told his squad about the famous march to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003, Schmeichel has also had a taste of few continental charges.

The keeper said: “The manager said there’s obviously been disappointment in not making the Champions League in 2003.

“But when you look back at successful seasons, getting to the UEFA Cup Final, that would have been one of the most successful seasons. You’re always wanting to win trophies, you’re always wanting to get to those stages with a club like this.

“We hope that we can get deep into the competition and give the fans another night like that.

“I got to the semi-final in the Conference League, quarter-final of the Champions League.

“At Leicester we lost to Roma away, 1-0, and they went on to win the competition.

“Europe is just special. We’re going to go for it, for sure. I just hope that we can play enough good football and score enough goals to get people onside.”

Scoring goals has been an issue this season. Keeping them out hasn’t been a problem.

Schmeichel has been in miserly form, even when some have been writing off the 38-year-old.

The Denmark legend’s age is constantly thrown at him but typically he parries it away as he insists he’s in the shape of his life. Schmeichel said: “The biggest advantage you can have in football is experience. If you’re physically still able and you have experience, there is no bigger advantage.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a better place mentally or physically. I’m very comfortable with my role within the team and how I’m meant to play and what’s expected of me.”

There were not many doubters when Schmeichel was performing heroics in Munich, keeping the score down against Aston Villa or making saves in last week’s draw with Red Star Belgrade.

But the No.1 would rather have the deckchair out and he’s hoping to maintain Celtic’s solid start to the season at the back. He said: “For me, the best performances are the ones where you don’t have anything to do and you win the game 1-0. They’re the ones I look back on and remember.

“We started last season well and I think we beat the record of most consecutive clean sheets.

“I’ve only conceded two goals this season. Personally, the clean sheets thing is not the most important step. But it does show how solid we are and how difficult we are to beat.

“It will play on people’s minds thinking that to beat these guys, to score against these guys, we’re going to have to be on top of our game. We’re there to provide that solid foundation. Then it’s up to us to go forward and stick away the chances.”

That job will be down to Kelechi Iheanacho and Schmeichel can sense a fire has been lit under his old Leicester pal at Parkhead. He said: “I don’t know how you can’t be anything but inspired playing here for this club.

“Coming in for his debut at Kilmarnock, scoring in 90-plus minutes, and scoring a massively important goal in Belgrade, that’s gold dust for a striker.

“That will give him loads of confidence. If he can get his first goal here at this stadium he’s going to be on cloud nine.”

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