I Played Alongside Zidane and Henry — But Nothing Compared to the Unforgettable Magic of Facing Celtic in the Champions League

Former France and Lyon hero Gregory Coupet will never forget his visit to Glasgow’s East End 22 years ago

Lyon legend Gregory Coupet enjoyed a stellar career that saw him win seven Ligue 1 titles and represent his country at the European Championships in 2008.

But the 52-year-old is in no doubt about the best experience he ever experienced on the pitch during his 28 years as a professional.

The Frenchman was in his pomp when Lyon travelled to Celtic Park for a Champions League group stage clash in September 2003.

The Ligue 1 powerhouses went into tie off the back of consecutive league titles but were blown away by the Hoops, with goals in either half from Liam Miller and Chris Sutton handing Martin O’Neill’s side an impressive 2-0 win, despite Coupet saving a penalty from Alan Thompson.

Coupet’s team would get their own back on Celtic three months later, with midfield maestro Juninho netting a late penalty in a 3-2 victory to deny the visitors a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

And while the former stopper – who won 32 caps for his country and also turned out for Saint Etienne, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain – played in many iconic stadiums around the continent during his illustrious career between the sticks, he says that ‘magical’ night at Parkhead trumps the lot.

Coupet puts the atmosphere generated at Celtic Park ahead of the cauldron of noise that can be heard in Fenerbahce’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Speaking to L’Equipe, he said: “I put Celtic above all because there is a cathedral effect, magnificent chants, no animosity. It’s magical.”

Coupet isn’t the only former Ligue 1 star to have some warm words for the famous old ground.

Ex Barcelona, Manchester United and PSG goal machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic described his experience of walking out in Glasgow’s East End back in 2001 when he came off the bench for Ajax in a Champions League tie.

Reflecting on his career, he said: “I have played in the biggest games of world football.

“But I have never experienced an atmosphere like I did at Celtic Park.