Edson Braafheid breaks cover with astonishing Celtic words as he felt something different during forgetful stint
Edson Braafheid played in the 2010 World Cup Final.
So he knows about pressurised environments and high stakes. He’s also one of very few people to represent Celtic and Bayern Munich. So the Dutchman has a clear insight into what makes both clubs tick. He’s acutely aware of just how big an institution the German giants are having spent two years there.
But when it comes to intensity, passion and what the game means to supporters? He reckons Celtic are on a different level. Braafheid is one of the forgotten men in the history of the Hoops. He arrived in Glasgow from the Allianz Arena on loan in the January window of 2010.
The squad he joined at Parkhead featured the likes of Scott Brown, Aidan McGeady and Robbie Keane - but ultimately lost the league title to Rangers and got gaffer Tony Mowbray the sack. Braafheid returned to Bayern before eventually going on to play for Hoffenheim, Lazio and FC Utrecht. But the left-back still looks back on his Celtic stint with fond memories.
Not only did it help him get into the Holland squad for the World Cup, where they finished runners-up. But it also gave Braafheid a life experience he still values to this day. And as he looked ahead to a huge Champions League play-off clash between his former clubs, he hailed Celtic’s aura. He accepts that Bayern have more money, better players and operate in one of Europe’s top leagues.
But when it comes to stature, Braafheid says Celtic is unmatched anywhere in the world. In an exclusive interview with Mailsport, the Dutchman said: “The size and stature of Celtic surprised me. Walking in the city, being at home watching TV, going to a restaurant or being in the stadium - it’s a lifestyle when you’re at Celtic.
“That’s what being a Celtic player brings because of the history of the club. That side of it surprised me very much. Is it comparable to Bayern? In terms of size, it’s similar. But it’s also very different. Celtic is known all over Europe because of the history it carries. In Germany, Bayern are big and so is the Bundesliga. But it’s a different atmosphere there. It’s hard to describe. When you play at Celtic, the feeling is unique. The atmosphere is incredible because the stadium comes alive. At Bayern Munich, it’s a different type of experience and pressure.
“For the fans of Celtic, their club is like a way of life. You really feel like you're impacting the people’s week when you’re a Celtic player. You determine whether they have an amazing week by winning and performing well. They demand that you play with your heart. In Germany, even at Bayern, of course you impact supporters too. But they’ll have a good week whether you win or lose.
“It’s not like that at Celtic. Glasgow is just different.”
Most people - even Celtic fans - might view Braafheid’s brief spell in Scotland as a failure. But the full-back doesn’t see it that way. In fact, he believes the Parkhead stint helped shape the rest of his career and was crucial to him appearing in the World Cup Final when Holland lost to Spain.
He said: “It was a great experience for me at Celtic, to be in a different league, a different culture and work with different people. The way they approach the game there is extremely passionate. There was no easy game in the Scottish league. So I learned a lot during that time and I enjoyed it.
“We had an amazing squad of players but unfortunately we weren’t able to fulfil our potential with a title. Even though I wasn’t at Celtic for a long period, when I look at my career I see it as an important moment for me and one I cherish. Not just as a player but more as a person. It was a time in my life when I was going through a lot.
“Going to Glasgow to play for Celtic and experiencing that culture and passion, it was amazing. You can be a talented player there but if you don’t put your heart into it, you won’t get very far. That’s something the Glasgow culture, or the Celtic culture, taught me during those six months when I was on loan. And it’s something I still carry with me every day now.
“Being at Celtic definitely helped me in my career and I knew it would. I wanted to play the minutes I needed to get to the World Cup with Holland which I did. So it was definitely a successful period for me.”
Braafheid is still involved in football alongside his former Dutch team-mate Gianni Zuiverloon, working with players on the psychological side of the game.
He watched Feyenoord hammer Bayern Munich 3-0 in their final Champions League group game a fortnight ago - and that gives him hope that Celtic can also cause Vincent Kompany’s side a problem.
Brendan Rodgers’ men are huge underdogs going into the two-legged tie which kicks off at Parkhead on Wednesday night. But Braafheid knows that when Celtic are involved in Europe, anything is possible. He said: “Look, if Celtic and Bayern Munich play 10 times, Bayern will win the majority of those games.
“There is a big difference between the leagues and the finances at the clubs. If you look at how they’ve performed in recent years, of course you’d say Bayern should probably have this tie. But I watched them play against Feyenoord - and I know they’d already qualified - but they were well beaten.
“The first game is in Glasgow so all I’ll say is that if Bayern think this will be an easy walk-through tie, they better do something against Celtic on Wednesday night. I’m excited to see how Celtic will perform and how they’ll do in the tie.
“It’s football, so anything can happen. The noise will be incredible in the first game so Celtic have to do something to give themselves a chance in Munich. When that stadium comes alive, anything can happen there.”
