Comparing Henrik Larsson With A Celtic-Linked Striker…,
Earlier this week, Celtic was linked to a transfer for Luke Bartmaan, a teenage hitting wonder from South Africa. It is hardly surprising that the 17-year-old Cape Town Spurs player is attracting attention from outside given his success in his native country.
Baartman has already scored his first senior goal for his side and amid reported interest from the Scottish champions, his club’s former technical director has vastly praised him. Sean Connor initially brought Bartmaan through in Cape Town.
The Irishman noticed his potential early on and has compared the centre-forward to a Celtic legend. He said (The Scottish Sun): “His spatial awareness, movement and pace reminded me immediately of Craig Bellamy and Henrik Larsson from when they were at Celtic.
“I’ve not had a feeling like this about a player since I gave Seamus Coleman his opportunity, and look at the career he’s gone on to have.
“As soon as I brought Luke into the first team, he’s looked at home and not out of place, which is testimony to the young man’s character.”
It was already clear that Bartmaan was a young man who had considerable potential, but Connor’s words back this up. Albeit the comparisons between players such as Larsson and Coleman are significant, they are a testament to Bartmaan’s current levels and prospects of future development.
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Lazio Away Day Becoming a Farce
The focus is not just on the expected on-field action as Celtic gets ready for its Tuesday night match against Lazio, but also on the substantial obstacles that Celtic supporters must overcome in order to cheer on their club away from home. The allocation of away tickets for Celtic has been significantly lowered to 3,600, a significant drop from the quantities observed in past Europa League matches in Rome that underscores the changing nature of football fan travel.
This reduced ticket allocation is understood to be a decision influenced heavily by local authorities, with safety and risk assessments at the forefront. Such measures, while crucial for safety, inevitably lead to disappointment for many fans who now face greater difficulty in securing a spot in the stadium.
Adding to the complexities, Lazio officials have issued a strict warning to Celtic, emphasizing the need for rigorous identity checks at the stadium entrance. Fans will be required to present their passports, and the name on the ticket must match that on the passport. This regulation underscores a growing trend in European football to enhance security, but it also brings logistical challenges. Notably, copies of passports are not acceptable, a stipulation that might cause discomfort among fans concerned about carrying their essential ID documents in a foreign country.
The stringent measures do not end there. In an unprecedented move, Celtic fans are required to submit images of any banners they plan to bring to the stadium. These banners need to be pre-approved by Lazio.
While these regulations are in place to ensure the safety and security of all attendees, they undoubtedly impact the overall experience of an away game for Celtic supporters. The atmosphere of European nights is often fueled by the passionate and vibrant support from the away fans, and these constraints could dampen the spirit typically brought by the Celtic faithful.
In response, Celtic has been proactive in communicating these requirements to its supporters, ensuring that those travelling are fully aware of the expectations and restrictions in place.
It’s worth noting some Celtic fans attending the game don’t have a copy of their ticket yet. We believe they’re beginning to filter through now.
As Tuesday night approaches, Celtic fans, both those travelling and those supporting from afar, will undoubtedly rally behind the team, hoping for a memorable performance despite the less-than-ideal circumstances surrounding their away support.
