Cinema Paradiso

Tonight at Celtic Park it is show time again.

The call around the set could be “new lights, camera, action!”

However, given the role of a live audience, this is as much theatre as moving picture show.

It will be a cast of thousands, sixty thousand to be precise.

The paying public at Parkhead has not had this quality of performance for many years.

This isn’t Heated Driveway Productions, but the real deal from Double Treble Studios.

Since Brendan Rodgers first sat in the director’s chair on the Parkhead set it has been a feel-good movie at Celtic.

Tonight the Norwegian side Rosenborg are cast as the villains.

They will play their role well and they’re a substantial obstacle to European progress for Rodgers’ men.

The absence of Kare Ingebrigtsen from the Scandinavian studio might cause some of Rosenborg’s stars to fluff their lines.

However, it could inspire them to shine.

Moreover, Celtic are without star performer Moussa Dembélé.

Yesterday I spoke with a chap who works for an EPL club in the sports science field.

He said that the recurring series of hamstring injuries in such a young player with explosive pace was especially worrying.

The basis of his worry was that he had professional contacts at Celtic and he knew that the set up at Lennoxtown was top class.

Therefore, if it was an ongoing problem with gold standard medical care then it might be an unfixable issue long term.

Whenever the main attraction cannot perform it is an opportunity for an aspiring understudy and Odsonne Édouard has undoubted star qualities.

The great studios of the past always nurtured their own talent and tonight Celtic will have three Academy Graduates showing off their moves.

Forrest, McGregor and Tierney will be integral to Celtic tonight if the Parkhead side is to prevail.

For the avoidance of doubt, the amphitheatre on Kerrydale Street is the only venue in Glasgow that can produce this magical mixture of genuine stars, brilliant director, magical light show and sixty thousand enthusiastic extras.

However, don’t expect the local trade press to point this undeniable fact out to their readers.

They are too busy pretending that a substandard product at Ibrox is the real deal.

The owner of Sevco Studios would make Sam Woltz blush…

Of course, I cannot confirm if Mr David Cunningham King has ever awoken to find a horse’s arse in his bed.

That said some of the “interviews” that he is…ahem…subjected to in Scotland by gushing stenographers are rather romantic…

Perhaps on Edmiston Drive, the old thespian exhortation to “break a leg” is probably more apt given what is on offer there to their culturally unfortunate customers.

For the guy directing the drama tonight at Parkhead, it isn’t business, it’s strictly personal.

He was born into the Celtic family and that is why these times are so special if you love the Hoops.

Enjoy them.

I was around six when I saw Joe McBride score the first Celtic goal I ever witnessed.

My first European night was wee Jimmy versus Red Star Belgrade.

I hope somewhere tonight some other wee person has a similarly enthralling experience that will last down the decades.

Let’s do it Bhoys!