I’m assuming that Celtic United is a (Scottish?) football team, but what is Rod saying when he compares a woman to Celtic United?
Was Celtic U a juggernaut football club 25-30 years ago? Was Rod saying that the woman was like the “Rolls Royce” or “the New York Yankees” of women? Or was Celtic United a middle-of-the-road team that flashed brilliance now and then but ultimately never delivered?
Tavalla has it right- I’ve heard Rod explain that the line means he loves the girl in question even more than he loves his favorite soccer teams.
To a guy, that may mean a lot, but I’m not sure most women would find it a terribly romantic line. It would be like me telling my wife, “You’re as beautiful as a Lawrence Taylor blitz… I love you more than Ron Guidry’s slider…”
The reference is indeed to Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United. Rod is a big Celtic fan but doesn’t actually own them, although he may be a minority shareholder.