Country Bhoys Wales

CELTIC Football Club is a name known throughout the football world, while in just about any country you care to mention, you’re guaranteed to find Celtic supporters proudly wearing the green and white Hoops.

And as well as having universal appeal, the Celtic first-team squad has a global look to it, with players from 13 countries playing their part in the historic success the club has enjoyed in recent seasons.

Over the course of this season we’ll be taking a closer look at these countries and their current Celtic links, as well as other nations who have played their part in our unique story.

AND IF YOU KNOW THE HISTORY

Celtic first travelled to Wales in competitive action in 1997 when Wim Jansen’s new-look side were paired with the unfortunately named Inter CableTel in the earliest phase of the UEFA Cup. It was the Dutchman’s first game in charge of the Hoops and, despite being without the services of the absent Paolo Di Canio and Jorge Cadete, it ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory at Ninian Park. Andreas Thom opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the sixth minute and Tommy Johnson doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time. As the match entered its later stages, Morten Wieghorst sealed the win, heading in from a corner. That result made the home match a formality for Celtic. And they ensured their passage to the next round with a 5-0 hammering of the Welsh outfit. Darren Jackson netted on his home debut with Thom, Johnson, David Hannah and Chris Hay also on target to complete an 8-0 aggregate triumph.

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