Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola: I'd love to bring the European champions to Parkhead to take on CelticTHE Spaniard has never had the chance to take a team to Parkhead but hopes he can savour the atmosphere with his Bayern side.
PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed he would love to bring European champions Bayern Munich to Celtic Park.
The Bayern boss is eager to taste the Champions League atmosphere in Glasgow’s east end for the first time.
And star man Franck Ribery is so desperate to line up a trip to Parkhead that he hopes Neil Lennon’s side make it through to the last 16 so Bayern can draw them.
Neither Guardiola nor Ribery have been to Parkhead but it is on their wish list and both dream of sharing in the sort of occasion that Barcelona have enjoyed in the last two seasons.
Guardiola missed out on all of Barca’s trips to Celtic’s home – despite being boss at the Nou Camp for four years.
Now he wants to experience what his old players have savoured.
The ex-Barca boss said: “I’ve never had the chance to go to Celtic but I’d love to.
“I am young – just 42 – and still have a chance to go to Celtic Park.
“In the last two seasons Barca have been there when I was not with the club.
“I was coach there for four years but never got a chance to take a team to Parkhead so I would love to have this experience for myself.
“The reason we play football is for the spectators. That’s what I tried to put in place at Barca and now at Bayern.”
Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona’s B team when the Catalan giants met a Celtic side managed by Gordon Strachan in the last 16 back in 2008.
Although the Hoops lost 3-2 that night they got their revenge last November with a memorable 2-1 win.
Barca edged the most recent encounter as Cesc Fabregas sealed a 1-0 victory after Scott Brown’s red card.
And Guardiola commended Hoops fans for applauding Andres Iniesta off the pitch when he was subbed late on.
He said: “That is why football is great. It is for many reasons but one of them is that sometimes people can accept opponents and behave like this. It’s wonderful.”
Ribery – the new European Footballer of the Year after beating Lionel Messi to the crown – saw that game on TV and was blown away by the passion of the Celtic support.
The French winger said: “The stadium was vibrating because there was so much noise. I have never played at Celtic Park but I have spoken to players who have.
“They say I should experience it and I would like to play there and see what an amazing atmosphere it is.
“I watched the game with Barcelona on TV. I thought Celtic played well and merited a better result. But what I was really impressed with was the fans.
“They obviously love their football and that passion helped Celtic because Barcelona are a stronger team.
“It’s very important Celtic have these supporters and they could help them to get through the group.
“That passion really helps a team and we have that at the Allianz Arena.
“The Bayern fans are always singing my name and going mad even when we get a corner. But to experience the occasion at Celtic would be good.
"Barcelona might be favourite to win that group but if Celtic can finish second like they did last season, maybe we can meet in the last 16.”
If Ribery gets his wish there is every chance the Bayern star could be the world’s No.1 footballer by the time he heads to Parkhead in February.
The Frenchman has just been named among the 23 candidates for the Ballon d’Or – which will be handed out at a glittering awards bash in January.
And Ribery is the favourite after landing the European award.
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