A phoenix rising, a house of steel, and sixty-thousand Celtic dreams…

Every Celtic fan will know that lyric but it’s been far too long since the Glasgow night sky was pierced by the sound of those dreams being vocalised by the Parkhead faithful.

That changed on Thursday. The house of steel was rocking as the supporters gave Ange Postecoglou and his players the kind of welcome they must have felt deep in their very cores.

And boy did they embrace it.

Led by the inspirational Callum McGregor, the Celtic players helped the supporters properly usher in the Postecoglou era by dismantling FK Jablonec 3-0 (7-2 aggregate) thanks to two goals from David Turnbull and one from James Forrest.

Ange Postecoglou said in the build-up to the match that he hoped the atmosphere at his first full Celtic Park would be one he’d remember “when I’m long retired and sitting on a Greek island somewhere”.

Given the decibel level inside Parkhead on Thursday, the current inhabitants of that Greek island will probably discuss their own memories of it with him when he gets there.

Whether it was classics like You’ll Never Walk Alone or more recent compositions such as Discoland, doing the stadium-wide huddle or rekindling the 67th-minute light display, the Celtic fans revelled in their reunion. And those songs of praise, hope and joy created, as they so often have, something really worth playing for.

Postecoglou said as much himself last night, shortly after joining the players on a lap of honour and applauding the crowd for their efforts.

“The emotion was incredible both on the park and, more importantly, off the park,” the Celtic manager said. “The fans created something special.

“We fed off the energy in the stadium… we’ve got a really heavy schedule to maintain this sort of intensity, and a full house in here certainly helps us.”

Man-of-the-match Turnbull, too, couldn’t help but mention the influence of the supporters, saying: “That’s what we’ve missed for the past year-and-a-half. I loved every minute of it. They were great from minute one until the end.”

READ MORE: Detailed Celtic player ratings as David Turnbull and Callum McGregor shine in 3-0 second-leg win over FK Jablonec

Yet it was, of course, about much more than just the manager and players. This was Celtic’s first match with such a capacity since March 2020. Before they won nine. Before they fell short of 10. Before coronavirus.

In a fitting start to proceedings the fans – joined by the players and staffs of both sides – held a minute’s applause to remember those who would have been there singing next to them but for the devastating impact of the pandemic.

And it’s important they are remembered. Everyone experienced a different lockdown, after all, and whether it was the pre-match pint, taking your seat on the supporters’ bus or even just that first, exhilarating glimpse of green rising up to meet you as you emerge from the bowels of Parkhead into the stands, the enormity of simple normality would not have been lost on those lucky enough to be in attendance.

On the pitch, there are tougher tests to come. First up is Hearts in the League Cup last 16 at the weekend. The Jambos beat Celtic in the Premiership less than two weeks ago, so while it’s not exactly a chance for revenge there will surely be an edge to proceedings as a result.

After that it’s the first of two legs against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League play-offs, with a home match against St Mirren sandwiched in between. And then it’s Ibrox. By then, Postecoglou’s men could be riding the crest of a considerable wave if things go to plan.

But for now it’s enough to take things as they come. One step at a time. One win at a time. One dream at a time.