Celtic fans are giddy with excitement at the thought of a showdown with Irish league champions Linfield.
Linfield who are in their own words ‘brothers in arms’ with old firm rivals Rangers are tasked with beating San Marino side La Fiorita if they are to set up a moster clash with the Glasgow giants.
Who are Linfield FC?
Linfield are the most decorated and successful team on the island of Ireland with 52 league titles, 43 Irish Cups and 9 league cups to their name.
Even though they are a semi-professional team ‘the blues’ play at Northern Ireland’s national stadium ‘Windsor Park’ and have much more cash at their disposal than any other team in the north.
To say their wealth dwarfs all other teams around them would be an understatement. So much so that they can afford the wages of several former professionals such as goalkeeper Roy Carroll, Sammy Clingan and top striker Andy Waterworth. This coupled with the best semi-pro talent in the country makes them a formidable force in the six counties.
The Linfield manager is a man that will be all to familiar to Celtic fans as he is former Rangers and N.I striker David Healy. Healy had a short stint at Ibrox in 2011 but would probably be best remembered for his goals at Leeds, Fulham and indeed internationally.
Tensions could flare up
If fate should have it that the game is to happen, it could cause tension between the largely Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist fans of Linfield and the mainly Catholic/Nationalist/Republican followers of Celtic.
I can tell you first hand that Belfast is no stranger to violence between these two segregated communities that inhabit the six counties of the North of Ireland.
We would all hope that the game could pass by without any incident and could be enjoyed as a fierce game between two adversaries. However, the timing of the game could add fuel to the fire. Should Linfield qualify the first leg would take place in Belfast around the 11th July.
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This time in July a particularly contentious time of year as those in the unionist tradition celebrate the victory of the protestant King William over the Catholic King James. This causes massive tension between the two communities as the ‘Cultural festival’ is celebrated by parading through Catholic areas and burning all things that could be considered Irish on a annual bonfire. (Celtic memorabilia often being the kindling of choice)
Tough Test
Linfield are the best team in the North of Ireland, however they will have to be at their very best as to compete with a fantastic, treble winning Celtic side who are firing on all cylinders.
It is clear that there will be no love lost between the two teams and their supporters. Brendan Rodgers‘ Bhoys will in my opinion relish a game of such importance that will undoubtedly generate great public interest and atmosphere in the manager’s country of birth.