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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Manchester United legend reveals Celtic Park 'fire breathers' were the only fans who left him terrified

Nemanja Vidic isn't an easy man to intimidate.

A player whose terrace chant at Manchester United included the line "he'll f*****g murder you", the Serb was regarded as one of the greatest - and toughest - defenders of his generation.

Vidic cut his teeth at Red Star Belgrade and the Rajko Mitic Stadium, an arena eulogised for producing one of the most ferocious atmospheres in world football.

It ensured stepping into the some of the most hostile environments throughout a storied career was never a problem.

All except one.

Vidic admits the only place capable of matching Red Star for noise was Celtic Park , recalling supporters "breathing fire" on him during his two visits to Glasgow in 2006 and 2008.

(AFP/Getty Images)

Discussing playing in Italy for Serbia, he told The Athletic : "They were in Naples, which had a reputation for being loud and intimidating, but when you have played at Red Star you don't really get intimidated.

"Maybe only at Celtic Park for the first 10 minutes of a game when the fans breathe fire towards the players.

"I loved playing at Celtic and felt like it was my mentality that I had grown up with."

Vidic was part of the United side who succumbed to Shunsuke Nakamura's famous free-kick in a 2006 game that finished 1-0 to the Scottish champions.

He returned two years later when a late Ryan Giggs header was needed to rescue a point for Sir Alex Ferguson, who were the reigning Champions League winners.

Celtic had taken the lead through Scott McDonald before it ended 1-1.

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