Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke has admitted the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is like nothing he’s experienced before, with a recent experience against Philippe Clement’s side testament to that.
The centre-back has been speaking to Aftonbladet in his homeland about life at Celtic, which naturally means a discussion on the rivalry with Rangers too.
The two Glasgow sides are undoubtedly among the fiercest rivals in world football, with the Old Firm match regularly one of the more hotly contested and indeed fiery clashes between inter city rivals.
Lagerbielke has only been at Celtic since joining last summer but has already had a taste of that rivalry this season, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win for Celtic over Rangers at Ibrox back in September.
He was out of the squad for the following 2-1 win at the end of December so was unable to experience the atmosphere from a Celtic point of view.
That doesn’t matter to him, though, as he admits that experience at Ibrox, where there were no Celtic fans in attendance on the day, is one that will live with him for a lifetime.
“Just that it’s a big club I’ve joined, and I feel that I’m developing every day,” he said when asked what’s been the best part of life at Celtic so far.
“Then I got to experience a derby when we beat Rangers away. There were no away supporters at that match, so we had no supporters in place. So, when we scored, it was dead quiet in the arena. It was pretty sick considering the pressure there was until our goal.
“It’s probably the biggest match I’ve experienced in my career, although the decisive goal in the Champions League was also a great feeling.
“It (the rivalry) bubbles constantly. There are certain areas you shouldn’t walk around here in Glasgow if you play for Celtic. Then there is a hateful atmosphere between the teams, and you notice it.”
