‘It was a big shock’ – Ex-Celt Couldn’t Believe Parkhead Intro
Former Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen has admitted that he was blown away at the size of the club.
Johansen who now plays for EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers was reflecting on his time spent in Glasgow during a recent interview.
He joined the Hoops in January 2014 under the watch of Neil Lennon but really kicked on under the management of his fellow countryman Ronny Deila the following campaign.
During season 2014/15 he made 56 appearances for the Hoops contributing 13 goals and 10 assists as he was named as the Hoops Player and Players’ Player of the Year.
The side went on to win a League and League Cup double under Deila but his form was unfortunately not carried over to the following season. Many thought that he would be the type of player that could thrive under Brendan Rodgers but was then transfered to Fulham.
He remembers his time in Glasgow fondly where he won three league titles but was blown away by the club after making the move to the Scottish champions as a 23-year-old from Norwegian side Stromsgodset.
“The season finished back home in Norway about November time, and I think we went on a training camp with the national team in Abu Dhabi actually,” said Johansen speaking to the [Celtic View Podcast].
“I had a few chats with my agent over the December period and Celtic got mentioned. Me and my wife had a little chat and there was only one real option! Everything went quite quick. I knew Celtic was a big club but then I flew to Glasgow and I realised how big a club it was, because I didn’t expect all the cameras, private entrance for the medical and stuff like that. It was a bit shocking but it was brilliant!
Reuters / Lee Smith
“It was a big shock to be honest, obviously the Champions League games and stuff, so you kind of knew it but is a completely different experience when you’re there in person. It was a brilliant time; the fans, the city, the players, everyone was so welcoming so it was quite easy to get into the group and I felt at home quite quickly.”
He’ll be fondly remembered for that particular season under Deila and it’s always great to hear this kind of insight from a former Celt.
