Chelsea hero admits to having soft spot for Celtic

We needs teams like Celtic in the UEFA Champions League. Admittedly, there is very little chance of them making a run for the trophy anytime soon. Of course, you can never completely rule out the possibility. Just look at what Ajax achieved about half-a-decade back with players like Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.

But, it is not only about competing for the trophy. The Champions League is a better tournament when Celtic are in it. Not only are they one of the most famous clubs on the planet but there is other fanbase like theirs.

A Champions League night under the bright lights at Celtic Park is special. Just ask anybody who has played under those circumstances. Or listen to what players like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Kaka, Bastian Schweinsteiger and many others have said in the past.

Add the name of Joe Cole to the list of former players who appear to have a soft spot for Celtic and are rooting for the Hoops to progress. As reported by Football Scotland, he told TNT Sports:

"They'll be on top of the world. A club like Celtic, they bring so much to the Champions League. The atmosphere, you talk to great players who have played all over Europe at all the big stadiums, and playing at Celtic it really is special.

"It has got something so you want them to do well, you are rooting for them. They will take so much confidence, listen, this is Bratislava and they should win but it's the way they won it.

"Brendan has got them playing and they have got enough quality. It will be interesting to see. I don't expect them to go through as one of the top clubs but if they can get a play-off place and keep going in the tournament, that would be good."

Chelsea hero admits to having soft spot for Celtic

Of course, Cole will know a thing or two about great atmospheres. He won three Premier Legue titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup and a Community Shield as part of Chelsea's golden generation of the 2000s.

Cole also played for clubs like Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United and Lille. So, he has experienced his fair share of big Champions League nights. He also represented the England national team on more than 50 occasions.

It is good to hear of former players like Cole rooting for Celtic to progress in the Champions League. At the end of the day, football is about stories, just like every other form of entertainment. And it would be quite the fairy tale if Brendan Rodgers is able to take the Hoops to the knockout phase of the competition.