Cristiano Ronaldo is back in Glasgow ahead of Scotland’s Nations League match against Portugal, a highly anticipated fixture at Hampden Park. At 39, Ronaldo is expected to feature prominently as Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad aims to secure their first points against the reigning Euro 2016 champions.

Ronaldo, widely recognized as one of football’s all-time greats, returns to the city where he has a mixed record. His most recent appearance in Glasgow came during a clash with Celtic, a game that added to his challenging history in Scottish football. Interestingly, he was absent when Portugal claimed a 3-1 friendly victory at Hampden in 2018. This visit marks a new chapter in his rivalry with Scottish teams, and fans will be eager to see if Ronaldo can finally break his winless streak in Glasgow.

Cristiano Ronaldo was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United sides that twice visited Celtic Park in the UEFA Champions League Group Stages within three years. One of the most memorable encounters came in 2006 when Celtic, led by Gordon Strachan, secured a famous victory over Ferguson’s United.

That night, Shunsuke Nakamura’s stunning freekick sealed the win for the Celts, with Ronaldo on the losing side. Despite his illustrious career and eventual five-time Champions League triumphs, Ronaldo couldn’t prevent his team’s defeat in Glasgow’s East End, adding another chapter to his challenging history in the city.

However, Celtic couldn’t replicate their 2006 triumph when Manchester United returned to Glasgow two years later. Scott McDonald’s audacious chip gave Celtic hope of another famous victory, but it was short-lived. Ryan Giggs equalized in the second half with a header, ensuring the match ended in a 1-1 draw, denying Celtic back-to-back wins over Ronaldo’s United in the Champions League. Despite the draw, Ronaldo’s struggles in Glasgow remained part of his narrative when visiting the Scottish city.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the top scorer from the old Champions League Group Stage format, was unable to find the net against Celtic during both of his visits to Glasgow with Manchester United. Fans were treated to a spectacle as the Portuguese icon showcased his skills even in the warmup, exchanging diagonal passes with Wayne Rooney before kickoff. Despite his prowess, Celtic managed to keep him off the scoresheet on both occasions.

Now, at 39, Ronaldo continues to prove he’s still a goal threat, as seen by his recent winner in Lisbon. Scotland boss Steve Clarke will no doubt aim to frustrate Portugal’s attack and hope manager Roberto Martinez hesitates to unleash the veteran forward at Hampden Park.