Why Celtic v AZ Alkmaar within the Europa League is being performed on Wednesday night time

Celtic might be trying to attain the Europa League correct once they host AZ Alkmaar at Parkhead tonight.

The Hoops hit again from their Champions League elimination by beating Jablonec to achieve the play-off spherical of Europe’s secondary competitors.

Whereas Alkmaar will show a troublesome take a look at for Ange Postecoglou’s facet, essentially the most uncommon a part of the competition might be the truth that it’s being performed on a Wednesday night.

The Europa League is synonymous for being performed on a Thursday night time, nonetheless Celtic have been granted particular permission to play their match a day earlier.

The explanation for that’s all the way down to their arch rivals, Rangers.

Steven Gerrard’s facet are additionally competing within the Europa League after being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Swedish facet Malmo earlier this month.

In consequence they’ve now been drawn towards Armenian facet FC Alashkert, with the primary leg going down at Ibrox on Thursday.

With each Celtic and Rangers as a result of play their first legs in Glasgow this week, the choice was made to rearrange the Bhoys’ tie to make sure that the 2 sides wouldn’t be competing in the identical metropolis on the identical night time.

The authorities at all times search to keep away from having the Previous Agency rivals competing in the identical metropolis on the identical day to keep away from any potential issues and ease the pressure on the native police power.

Postecoglou has spoken out forward of the rearranged fixture and believes that it’s essential that Celtic can flip Parkhead right into a fortress on the European stage, beginning towards AZ Alkmaar.

He stated: “For those who look again on the historical past of the membership, I believe that’s the place that aura round European nights happened. They obtained some fairly massive scalps and the ambiance, the gang, all of it performs its half.

“As quickly as we obtained everybody again into the stadium, I used the time period ‘promote some perception’ to our supporters, and a few hope, that we will do issues.

“I believe it’s necessary as a result of significantly on European nights, typically the ambiance you meet away from house is fairly difficult so to have the ability to get outcomes and large performances at residence actually helps you progress within the competitors.”

With a sell-out crowd set to be in place at Parkhead the supporters might be hoping that it may be one other European night time to recollect for the Scottish giants.