Playing at Celtic Park like facing 14 men, ex-Rangers ace warns Anderlecht

Thomas Buffel has told the Belgian media that Anderlecht will feel as though they are ‘facing fourteen men’ when they take on Celtic tonight.

Former Belgian international Buffel, who turned out for Rangers between 2005 and 2008, was speaking to the media in his homeland about what the Anderlecht players can expect in Glasgow’s east end.

Buffel said: “The stadium is always packed; 60,000 Scots who sing loudly - that makes an impression. The fans are atmosphere makers.

“The stands are also designed so that you have 360 degree ambiance and passion. So it seems like you don’t have to take on twelve, but are against fourteen men.”

Buffel, who played for Feyenoord and Excelsior in the Netherlands before moving to Glasgow, scored for the Gers in an Old Firm match at Ibrox, but also experienced the famous derby at Celtic too.

Recalling his visit to Parkhead he added: “There’s a lot of abuse on the pitch by the players. I don’t think Anderlecht’s players will understand much of it.

“If you want to survive [at Celtic Park] you have to try and ignore the peripheral issues and focus on the match itself.”

Buffel won the league title and league cup in his first season at Rangers, and helped the Gers reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

He left Ibrox for Cercle Brugge in 2008, moving on to Genk in 2009, where he still plays at the age of 36.