The defender loved his time in the east end of Glasgow which included highs and lows at the national stadium
Erik Sviatchenko will rise early in the ‘Space City’ of Houston this morning to tune into the Old Firm Premier Sports Cup semi final.
Maybe it’s the NASA theme in his current home that makes the former Celtic defender describe what’s unfolding in Scottish football as a “whole new world” with Hearts rocketing ahead of his turmoil-stricken old club and Rangers.
But some things will never change. And ahead of the two giants colliding at Hampden the big Dane has warned the derby debutants on both sides to prepare to be launched into a cosmic battle which takes on its own LIFE.
Sviatchenko, now plying his trade in the MLS with Houston Dynamo, has been stunned by this week’s earth-shattering events at Parkhead that culminated in Brendan Rodgers walking before Dermot Desmond followed up with an atomic blast at the departed boss.
The Dane knows all about Rodgers’ stubborn streak having been bombed out at Celtic eight years ago during the Northern Irishman’s first spell in charge.
The nature of his exit, that saw him banished to train with the youth team with no explanation from Rodgers, will always niggle.
But Sviatchenko still reckons Celtic have lost one of the best coaches he’s worked under.
And with Martin O’Neill holding fort against a Rangers side that’s suffered an even shakier start, the 34-year-old says the only thing certain in this afternoon’s showdown is an atmosphere unrivalled across the globe.
Sviatchenko was on the winning side the last time the rivals clashed in a League Cup semi final when Moussa Dembele’s 87th minute strike separated the sides in October 2016.
And he told Record Sport: “This game is going to be something else for sure.
“Especially right now with all the things happening both for Celtic and Rangers that are just not common.
“It’s almost a whole new world we’re entering with both clubs being in such a difficult spot.
“One time it was Rangers that were winning, then Celtic were dominating, sometimes both were doing well.
“But now suddenly there’s Hearts well clear at the top, which is crazy.
“None of that matters for this game on Sunday though. It’s one game where you have a chance to be the hero.
“For any player that’s going to face this fixture for the first time then I say – do not to take it lightly because these games have their entire own life.
“Especially at Hampden, a mythical stadium and with all the history to the derby, you walk onto the park and it’s 50-50 in the stands, it’s half green and it’s half blue – that’s something that you cannot underestimate.
“I admit it did surprise me how fierce the atmosphere was. It was just the sheer roar and the commitment that both sets of fans have.
“I’d played in a few derbies beforehand at Parkhead and Ibrox that were massive. But at Hampden it’s something else.
“The level of focus and composure you have to have when you play these games – go and enjoy it. But see it as a very, very tough job.
“You need to be focused for 15 minutes, 15 minutes, 15 minutes, then it’s half-time and you can breathe out. Then you have another three times 15 minutes.
“It always helps in these high-stake games to divide the game a little bit.”
Sviatchenko was stunned to read the news from his old club break on Monday.
He fears Rodgers’ exit will leave a massive void but knows all too well the manager’s ruthless and stubborn streak after his own departure from Parkhead in 2018.
Having been a major part of the Invincible treble side in 2016-17, making 43 appearances, the big defender suffered torn knee ligaments in a Champions League qualifying victory over Rosenborg in August 2017.
When he returned from injury Sviatchenko found himself out the team then banished to train with the youths.
He never made another first team appearances before returning to his beloved Midjtylland – initially on loan in February 2018 – and permanently four months later.
On this week’s he said: “It’s crazy, man. Dermot Desmond’s answer back was also a little bit of an interesting story.
“I’m not sure what’s been going on but losing Brendan will be a blow.
“He is a really, really smart coach. Tactically, he’s at a very high level, and the fact that he makes players better in the week leading up to the games is what I felt in my period with him.
“I was excited to train underneath him. It was exciting drills. And he was also a good manager in the sense of knowing that family is important.
“But my ending with Brendan was not as pleasant as I had hoped for.
“Still to this day I don’t know why I had fallen out of favour and not given an explanation.
“I was disappointed that I had done so much for him and for the club in that season. To be left out was tough. It’s a place that I love.
“I was put down to train with the U17s. Nine months before I’d played against Messi in the Champions League.
“Next season you train with the young guys like Stephen Welsh and Karamoko Dembélé.
“I had two ways to go. Either I’ll be a prima donna and be a bad influence and a pain in the ass for being told to train here.
“But I just did my best to be an inspiration for these young kids.
“When I was fit again I just needed minutes. I travelled to St Johnstone away and Hearts away and was told to be 19th man. I said, enough is enough.”
Despite that Sviatchenko will tune in to this afternoon’s showdown and cheer on three former team mates still at the core of Celtic’s recent domination.
He said: “It’s insane how many trophies Jamesie Forrest and Callum McGregor have won for Celtic.
“Brilliant players and being in a winning environment they are creating a legacy for themselves.
“And Kieran Tierney rose from a young age before establishing himself as a Premier League player at Arsenal.
“I text him when he was going back to Celtic and he said: ‘I’m ready to go home’.
“The same feeling as I have with my team, Midtjylland, he would have with Celtic.
“What better place to be than a top competitive club, living in Glasgow close to family and friends and making a difference.
“He’s probably a potential captain in making too when Callum McGregor eventually retires.”
