Steven Fletcher admits he was taken aback by the passion of the Marseille fans after becoming the first Scotsman to play in the French top-flight for 18 years.
The 25-times capped international striker climbed off the bench in the 80th minute in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to runaway leaders PSG, with over 61,000 packed into the Stade Velodrome.
Fletcher, who has joined on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season, has followed in the footsteps of current Celtic assistant manager John Collins, who won the Ligue 1 with Monaco before departing the club in 1998.
Despite the loss, Fletcher admits his maiden appearance for the club is one he will never forget.
He said: “The atmosphere was fantastic, on the coach on the way in it was nothing I’d ever experienced before but it was great – great to see the fans and I was happy to get a few minutes on the pitch.
“I got on but we were a bit disappointed with the result.
“I thought we played well, especially in the second half but we need to look forward now to the next game.
“I’ve not played a lot of games this season but I’ve been training every day and working hard, and when I came here I think everyone thought I wouldn’t be fit and wouldn’t be in the squad.”
