Julien Stephan hails atmosphere at Celtic Park as Rennes make their trip to Glasgow to face Celtic in Europa League clash on Thursday night.

The 39-year-old is hoping his side perform well and take inspiration from a packed stadium which he calls “a cathedral of football”.

Rennes currently sit bottom of their Europa League group and have only managed to gain one point from four fixtures, which was from the 1-1 draw against the Scottish Champions in their opening fixture back in September.

READ MORE: Celtic v Rennes | TV times, kick-off, odds and team news

Celtic are already through the last 32 of the Europa League and sit top of Group E, and a win against Rennes would secure their position at the top with a game to spare.

The French team come into the Europa League match after losing 2-1 away to Dijon in Ligue 1 over the weekend, but Stephan insists his side will want to play their best football at Parkhead.

Speaking after the game on Saturday, the Rennes boss called Celtic Park a “special place” to play and commented on the bond between the club and its fans.

He said: "After the result of the weekend there is disappointment, obviously, but this is the Europa League, it is really important for us and we want to show what we can do.

"We also want to perform very well because we are playing in what I call a cathedral of football.

READ MORE: Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi will tell children about atmosphere in Celtic Park for ‘many years’

"It is a very special place to play so you want to play your best football if possible.

"It is all about the atmosphere. You can feel when you play here that there is a very strong link between the supporters and the club.

"We are also playing for the 2,500 supporters who have made the journey to support us, for pride too and to gain experience as we have a young squad.

"We know Celtic are looking to win the group to get a slightly easier draw after that.

"We know they will play the British style which is 100 per cent and we will try to respond to this."

Stephan is the second manager in a Europa League tie to recently comment on the atmosphere at Celtic Park.

READ MORE: Fraser Forster urges Celtic to finish the job with top spot in Europa League

Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi said he was stunned by the atmosphere in the stadium after his side lost 2-1 to Celtic back in October and even insisted that his 18-year-old son, Tommaso, attended the game.

He said: "The Celtic game is a match I will be telling my children about for many years.

"In fact, I actually brought my oldest child with me because I knew how good it would be.

"Yes, we lost to Celtic, but they are a quality team who play at a very high pace and to a very good standard. There's nothing to be ashamed of.”