AIK star Nabil Bahoui calls on fans to rival Celtic’s Parkhead atmosphere

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AIK attacker Nabil Bahoui has called on the club’s fans to even the odds against Celtic in their Europa League clash. 

The Swedish outfit face the Scottish champions at Parkhead this week before welcoming the Bhoys next Thursday as the two clubs battle for a place in the Europa League group stages. 

Bahoui, who has scored three goals in four games since rejoining his hometown club from De Graafschap this summer, was speaking to Aftonbladet after AIK lost at home to Kalmar in the Allsvenskan this weekend. 

He called on fans to come in their droves for the second-leg or else Celtic will have an overwhelming advantage considering their following at Parkhead.

“It was a little disappointing to the Sheriff. 13,000 is a good number but we know we can do better. Celtic will probably have 45,000 at home to support them. That’s why I challenge our fans to reach 35,000. That’s not impossible at all. 

“I know you can use it to our advantage. There was good pressure against Maribor. Come on, 35,000, that’s not too much to ask.”

TBR’s View

There is no doubt that Celtic’s vociferous fanbase will be key against AIK. Indeed, the attendance for Celtic’s clash with Cluj in the Champions League was over 50,000. 

AIK had just 14,000 fans present at the Friends Arena for the Kalmar defeat at the weekend. Considering the stadium has a maximum capacity of 50, 653, there is no doubt AIK could replicate a similar feel in the second-leg to make this a truly special two-legged affair. 

Last November, 50,128 people packed into the stadium for a record AIK attendance as they pushed for the league title against GIF Sundsvall. 

A repeat of that attendance would undoubtedly give Celtic a tough environment to play in.