Celtic and Borussia Dortmund icon, Murdo MacLeod, was a player who married elite technical ability with a fierce competitiveness to become a mainstay in every team he played for. His footballing prowess, allied with his never-say-die attitude, made him a much-loved player in the East End of Glasgow and, laterally, in the city of Dortmund. The former Scottish internationalist has battled through serious ill-health in recent times, and, with the same tenacity and bravery he showed as a player, he has overcome that period of adversity and is now back enjoying life as a Celtic supporter. Speaking to Celtic TV in Dortmund ahead of tonight’s huge UCL clash at the Westfalenstadion, Murdo said that he is excited for a night of entertaining football in one of the sport’s most iconic atmospheres. “Everything is getting better for me,” he said. “Over the last six or seven months, everything is gradually getting better for me and being able to get up to Celtic Park to watch the games is great. “I’m really looking forward to tonight’s game. ‘I think there’ll be a great atmosphere tonight from both sets of supporters.’ “They’ll be singing and dancing, and I’m looking forward to seeing some goals, that’s the most important thing. “Celtic just now are unbelievable, we’re flying. The football is great, everything is quick and not many teams can live with that.”Murdo enjoyed a successful spell with Borussia Dortmund between 1987 and 1990, during which time he won the DFB-Pokal (the German national cup) and the DFB-Supercup. It was at Celtic, however, that Murdo made his name as a footballer, spending just under a decade in the Hoops and winning four league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup. It’s no surprise, then, that when the former midfielder reflected on the iconic atmospheres that he played in during his career, it was the noise generated by the Celtic support that was at the forefront of his mind. “The Jungle was always really special,” he said. “The used to sing my name. They even sang my name when I was playing for Dortmund against Celtic! “When there was a free kick, The Jungle wanted me to take it for Celtic! They were great times. “When I first came here, Dortmund’s stadium held around 60,000, and then over the years it’s been getting bigger and bigger, and it’s up over 80,000 now. “They’re a great support for their team all the time, just like the Celtic support.” Before kick-off at the Westfalenstadion tonight, Murdo and fellow Celtic and Dortmund icon, Paul Lambert, will take to the pitch to, undoubtedly, receive an ovation from both sets of supporters, making this an extra-special night for both men. Murdo added: “It’s really nice. It was the same on the anniversary of winning the DFB-Pokal, that team were on the park at that time. “Very few people get to go on to the park, so it’ll be really nice to go in and see some old faces like my big pal Nobby Dickel who scored the vital goals in the cup final. “I’m really looking forward to the whole thing.”FixturesBorussia Dortmund Vs. Celtic – Tue, Oct 1st 2024, 20:00
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