Former Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos is one of the collection of footballing greats to have sampled Celtic Park on a Champions League night.

The German legend put on a masterful display in midfield during Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in 2022 on a night where Scotland’s finest ran Carlo Ancelotti’s side close for long periods.

Post-match, Toni Kroos shared his ‘unbelievable’ Celtic Park experience, claiming he had never experienced anything like the roar of the Hoops support during his career.

He stated: “I was being asked several times which (away) stadium is my favourite. And there is a new number one, I can tell you! Celtic Park. It has been just crazy! We came out, and the atmosphere was good.

“The Champions League anthem started, and I thought the stadium was going to collapse. Unbelievable, I had never experienced anything like that.”

Despite winning hearts and minds on a special evening, it is fair to say Kroos has changed his tune a little on Celtic amid the Bhoys’ recent Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Toni Kroos makes Celtic U-turn amid recent comments

Speaking on Einfach mal Luppen, Kroos eluded to Celtic as ‘second-class’ opposition while discussing Dortmund’s inconsistent Bundesliga form pitted against their performance in the Champions League.

He explained: “I think last week was the classic example of a Borussia Dortmund week. They won 7-1 in the Champions League, even if it has to be said that it was against a second-class opponent.

“And then they went to play a Bundesliga game at the weekend and put in a typically poor performance and lost. In the end, Dortmund will be judged by how they do in the Bundesliga, not in Europe. They won’t make it to the Champions League Final every year.

“They have to finally show some consistency in the league. I think we can say that Dortmund should be doing better in the league for many years now.”

Celtic fans will take issue with Kroos comments

Although the Dortmund defeat was a reality check for Celtic, the Bhoys still have a real chance of progression from the league phase with six matches left to play.

On matchday one, the Hoops thumped Slovan Bratislava in their Champions League opener. There is still plenty left to fight for as they look to make history under Brendan Rodgers

As seen above, Celtic’s next two Champions League fixtures against Atalanta and RB Leipzig may go a long way to determining the course of their first involvement in the new format.

Hopefully, history can be made as the reigning Scottish Premiership champions look to capitalise on the expanded tournament by prolonging their stay well into next year.