Celtic

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Munich

Image source, SNS

Alastair Johnston insisted pride rather than disappointment was the overriding emotion in the wake of the club's Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.

Alphonso Davies' 94th-minute equaliser sent Bayern through on aggregate after a heroic Celtic performance almost brought them a first win on German soil and a shot at extra-time to progress to the last 16.

"There's no regrets at all," the Celtic right-back said. "It's an unbelievable team and I'm unbelievably proud of my group.

"I think that every single man who stepped out there can leave with their head held high and that's something that's really important for us.

"Disappointment is definitely not the word that comes to my mind. I mean, this is one of the best teams in the world.

"Coming to their place, where they've got an unbelievable home record, not only in the league, but in Europe as well.

"For us to show up like that, I think it will have a lot of respect not only in Europe, but around the globe.

"We held our own. They needed a last kick of the game equaliser to get through against us. So that's obviously the part that hurts.

"I think we showed we belong at this level and I know that's something the gaffer really had thought long and hard about when he wanted to come back to the club.

"It was a big thing for him that he wanted to take that next step in Europe and I think we showed that."

Image source, SNS

• Bayern have reached the Champions League last 16 in each of the last 17 seasons and in each of their last 21 appearances in the competition.

• They remain unbeaten against Scottish opposition at home in major European competition (P11 W7 D4). Celtic have failed to win any of their 16 away games against German opposition (D4 L12 – including East Germany).

• Kuhn became the first German to score against Bayern Munich in the Champions League since Mergim Berisha for Red Bull Salzburg in November 2020. He is the first to do so in the knockout stages since Lukas Podolski for Arsenal in March 2014 (last 16).

• Bayern have made more errors leading to opposition shots than any other team in the Champions League this season (13 – 5 in the build-up to goals conceded).

• Celtic (28y 40d) named their oldest starting XI for a Champions League game since a 1-0 win against Manchester United at Celtic Park in November 2006 (28y 272d).

Celtic missed out on an extra £9.3m following their Champions League play-off defeat by Bayern Munich but secured £26.23m from this season's competition. (Daily Record), external

Celtic have made £38.22m from this season's Champions League even before taking into account ticket sales and other commercial business. (The Herald), external

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo described his visit to Europe very beneficial after meeting Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun and Hibernian midfielder Kwon Hyuk-gyu, who is yet to make a full debut. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Celtic's Champions League adventure came to a halt in gut-wrenching fashion as Bayern Munich struck in the 94th minute to deny them a stunning victory in Germany and snatch a 3-2 aggregate victory.

How do you feel after that one, Celtic fans? A mix of pride and dejection?

Who impressed, and what are the big take-aways for Brendan Rodgers?

Let us know your thoughts, external.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told the assembled media: "It's a mixture of pride, firstly in the performance level. We have to remember this is Bayern Munich and everyone talked about that before the game.

"Performance-wise, we were outstanding, played without any fear. Defended so well, with discipline, pressed at the right moments, gave them issues on that side, and able to be compact and tight in the right moment.

"We didn't give away so much. Harry [Kane] hit the crossbar in the first half but there weren't too many glaring opportunities for them.

"We created really good chances. Second half we to defend more, but we know the game plan. We get in front, deservedly so. It was just about could we get the second one.

"It never looked like we were going to concede the goal that we did and sadly for us, we did. I can only take immense pride from the performance and the guys gave everything.

"Our European credibility was always going to be important. That's my main takeaway from this campaign.

"We learned some valuable lessons along the way, played some amazing football, and taken on a club of this size and magnitude - a club where one of their players is more than our budget.

"It allows us to build. Last year I felt we developed even though we never got the points. Performance-wise I thought it was good.

"This season it's been very good. We've made the progress that made me want to come back and now we have to finish the season off strong.

"My unswerving plan is to make it a seasoned club at this level, where we can go and really hurt big opponents like Bayern Munich."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Getty Images

Football is so often a cruel game, and it was hard not to feel for the Celtic players who lay dejectedly on the turf as their Bayern counterparts ran to the corner celebrating, and no doubt breathing a huge sigh of relief.

All the fight and resolve that they had shown for almost 180 minutes had been sapped from them by the scrappiest, ugliest of goals.

The Scottish champions hustled and harried, and stood up when tested. Schmeichel added more saves to his highlights reel, while his defence headed, blocked and cleared almost everything that came at them.

There were chances. McGregor blazed over in the first half when he should have hit the target. Kuhn had one cleared off the line, before his cross to the back post missed Maeda by a matter of inches.

They forced another opportunity when Dayot Upamecano sliced a pass. Kuhn played in Maeda with Neuer off his line, but the Japanese forward chipped wide.

There is a German saying - coming close is also missing it. It feels harsh to be critical given the monumental effort Celtic produced, but they needed to be more clinical.

They were less than a minute from extra time, and who knows what would have happened then? Perhaps more cruelty and dejection. Perhaps immortality among the Celtic annals for years to come.

Although they return to Glasgow beaten, they return with pride.

This looks like a different team to the one battered in Dortmund just a few months ago. They've matured considerably and look like growing even further.

Image source, SNS

Kasper Schmeichel. The Great Dane stood up once again to keep Celtic in the tie with eight saves, plenty of them important.

Despite his relatively short tenure, he could well go down as one of Celtic's great goalkeepers.

Tino
Fan writer

It's at times like this when, as a Celtic fan, it can be all too easy to let your heart rule your head.

And to be honest, I'm all here for it!

Because what's the alternative? Fearing the worst, accepting defeat before a ball is even kicked, or seeking comfort in the fact that 'its been a good run?'

Not for me.

The reality is Bayern Munich are strong favourites to proceed to the next stage, and rightly so.

Six-time winners of the European Cup/Champions League, flying high once again in the Bundesliga, and with a squad consisting of World Cup winners and some of the best young talents in Europe... they're not a bad bunch.

But when did 'reality' ever have anything to do with it?

That's not what being a football fan is all about. And if the favourites always won, then we'd be in a very boring world altogether.

Just ask the fans at Plymouth Argyle and at Queen's Park if you need any recent examples.

For Celtic to do the unthinkable tonight, however, then we need a few things to happen.

First of all, we need our goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, to have one of 'those games'. Think 19-year-old David Marshall at the Nou Camp in 2004, Artur Boruc versus Manchester United in 2006, or Fraser Forster against Barcelona in 2012.

If that's the case, and Cameron Carter-Vickers and co. can find a way to keep the Bayern frontline quiet, then we'll be halfway there.

Beyond that, we're then looking for a statement performance from one of Celtic's creative talents. Someone who has the ability to pull something out of nothing. And we have a few in our squad who have the ability to be that man.

Could it be that kind of night for man of the moment, Daizen Maeda? For Nicolas Kuhn back on home soil? For returning hero Jota to write the most spectacular of fairy tales?

Of course it could. There's ALWAYS a chance. And while that remains the case, we can head in to this one with all the hope we want as we get set to go toe-to-toe with one of European football's genuine big hitters.

Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to play without any fear, to leave it all out there, and to ensure they don't end the night with any regrets.

If they do that then I'm sure we'll all be happy, whatever scoreline we win by…

Tino can be found at the Celtic Exchange, external

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Munich

Image source, SNS

Kasper Schmeichel believes Celtic can upset the odds against Bayern Munich in their Champions League play-off second leg, saying "nothing worth achieving is ever easy".

Schmeichel was famously part of the Leicester team that shocked world football by winning the English Premier League in 2016.

Asked if overturning the 2-1 deficit away from home would be up there alongside his other footballing exploits the goalkeeper said: "I think it would be a massive achievement for sure, if you were able to put Bayern out of the Champions League, that would certainly be up there.

"It's going to be difficult, but like you said, I have been a part of teams that have done things against the odds, so why not?"

"What has to go right? Pretty much everything. You have to leave everything out there. You're coming up against one of the best teams in the world, but that's not to say that it's not just 11 v 11.

"We go out there with confidence, with hope. We're in the tie. We're not here just to make up room, but we're here to try and win. We're here to try and go through.

"It's just a game of football and anything can happen in those 90-plus minutes. The most important thing is just to have belief. We're a good football team as well, don't forget that.

"That's probably the message that we're trying to reinforce, is to remember that we're a really good football team ourselves."

The 38-year-old Dane was asked about coming up against another "old" goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer but he was keen to play up the positive side of that narrative.

"I don't like that word. I would rather use the word experienced," he added.

"I think experience is the biggest gift you can have in this game. If you're physically still able and you have 800-900 games under your belt, then it's the biggest advantage you can have.

"It's just being as calm as can be and just emphasising the point that these occasions don't just come around every year.

"When you're young, you think they're just going to come around every year, but they don't, so just enjoy them."

Jota is "ready to start" for Celtic against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League play-off decider, says manager Brendan Rodgers. (Herald - subscription), external

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came close to joining Bayern two years ago. (Sun), external

Schmeichel, 38, dismisses suggestions he is an "old" keeper. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Image source, Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers insists Harry Kane's potential absence in the second leg of Celtic's Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich "doesn't change anything" for the Scottish champions.

Kane, who scored what proved to be the winner at Celtic Park in the first leg, missed training on Monday with a facial injury, but Rodgers highlighted the depth of quality Bayern have available to them even without the England captain.

"It doesn't change anything, in terms of we need to win the game," Rodgers said. "If Harry didn't play, of course, it's a big miss for them.

"I'm pretty sure there's another world-class player that can come in and play. But I would expect Harry to play."

The Celtic manager also revealed that he and his staff have toyed with the idea of starting Daizen Maeda through the middle in Munich.

The Japan forward scored the goal that has given fans hope and changed the dynamic of Celtic's attack last week, pressing Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal to great effect.

"It's certainly something we looked at and talked about as coaches. Whatever we go with, whether it's Adam [Idah] or Daizen [Maeda], we still have the ability to affect the game," Rodgers added.

"With the design of the team and what we want to do, it was certainly a consideration."

Another who could be involved from the start is returning star Jota, who began the 3-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday.

"If that's what we decide that's what we need to do, he's fit enough to start the game," Rodgers confirmed. "He's working his way back to his highest level physically, and in terms of how I want the team to press.

"There's no doubt he can look after the ball and in arenas like this here, you need players who can take the ball and look after it. He's a wonderful player, I've seen the talent now close-up, and it's just about working his way back to that highest level. When we need him to start, he's ready to start."

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Munich

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been talking to the media before his side take on Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• Rodgers acknowledges Celtic won't be favourites going into the game, but says "everything is possible". Spoke about how Daizen Maeda's goal to make it 2-1 at Celtic Park makes a big difference before the second leg.

• He has a fully-fit squad to choose from. Jota is available from the start.

• The Northern Irishman expects Harry Kane to play for the German outfit despite the England captain missing training in the lead-up to the match.

• Rodgers wants his team to have the courage to play their own game, but they also have to find a balance. He stressed Celtic can't go chasing the game at this level, and says that is the mistake they made in their heavy defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the league phase.

• The challenge of winning against a world-class team is one Celtic want to embrace. Rodgers wants to ensure that if his side don't go through they come off the pitch having given it everything, with no regrets. "We have to be clever, we have to be bright and we have to be brave."

• Regardless of the result on Tuesday, Rodgers says his side has shown progress in Europe and it has been a "great adventure".

• Maeda's recent impact as a central striker gives Rodgers food for thought. Having both the Japan forward and Adam Idah provides options.

Liam McLeod
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Munich

Image source, PA Media

Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala wants to subject Celtic to a similar outcome to the one Scotland received when he helped inspire Germany to their Euro 2024 win over the national team last June.

Musiala, 21, produced a man of the match performance and scored the second goal as the hosts took the Scots apart 5-1 in Munich where Bayern will host Celtic in the second leg of their Champions League knock-out play-off tie tomorrow.

"I had a lot of fun," Musiala said. "It was definitely one of my favourite games in my career so far.

"We wanted to start the tournament off strongly and we knew what we had to bring.

"After a while it became fun and got into a good rhythm. Hopefully it will be more of the same against Celtic.

"It won't be an easy game that's for sure. We experienced last week in Glasgow and we know what's going to happen.

"We have to be fresh and mentally prepared. We have to give 100%, start strong and hopefully win."

Musiala played with Celtic's Nicholas Kuhn in the Bayern B team as a youngster and admits he could be the biggest threat to the hosts who hold a 2-1 lead in the tie after last week's first leg in Glasgow.

"He played really well against us," he added.

"I was 16 or 17 when I played with him, he was a big character then. We always spoke together and had games. I'm happy to see how well he's doing."

Bayern's Allianz Arena will host this year's Champions League final but Musiala says he and the rest of the team are not putting themselves under more pressure because of that.

"Everybody wants to reach the final but we can't look ahead that far."

Sportscene pundits Steven Naismith and Stephen McGinn discuss Celtic's chances against Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie.

Image source, SNS

• Bayern Munich have won their last five home European matches against Scottish opponents and have never lost at home against a Scottish team (W7 D3).

• Celtic have been eliminated in their last nine major European knockout ties when they've lost the first leg, since going through against FC Koln in the first round of the 1992-93 Uefa Cup (0-2 first leg, 3-0 second leg). They've never progressed when losing the first leg at home, however (seven previous instances).

• Bayern Munich have progressed from their last 13 Champions League knockout ties when they've won the first leg. The last time they were knocked out was in the last 16 against Internazionale in 2010-11, winning 1-0 in Italy in the first leg before losing 3-2 in the second leg and going out on away goals.

• Celtic have played 15 away games against German opposition in Europe, and are still looking for their first such victory (D3 L12). Indeed, they've lost on their last five trips there by an aggregate score of 4-18, with their most recent game in Germany being a 1-7 defeat to Borussia Dortmund earlier this season.

• Bayern Munich are unbeaten in their last 20 home matches in the Champions League (W16 D4), while only once previously have they had a longer such run in the competition – 29 games between March 1998 and April 2002. Indeed, their current unbeaten home streak of 20 games is also the longest active one in the Champions League.

• Since the start of last season, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane has scored more Champions League goals than any other player (15 in 20 games). Kane is the first Bayern player to hit 15 Champions League goals in 20 or fewer games, breaking Roy Makaay's record (21 games).

• Celtic's Daizen Maeda has scored four Champions League goals this season, the most by a Japanese player in a season and the most by a Celtic player in a European Cup campaign since Joseph Craig in 1977-78 (four). Only three have scored more in a season – Stephen Chalmers in 1966-67, William Wallace in 1970-71 and Lou Macari in 1971-72 (all five).

Kieran Tiernery will become Celtic's highest earner when the 27-year-old Scotland defender completes his summer transfer from Arsenal, with his wages dwarfing current top earners - captain Callum McGregor and centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers. (Football Insider), external

Celtic will need to play at their maximum to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich in Tuesday's Champions League play-off decider in Germany, says captain Callum McGregor. (Record), external

The Scottish Premiership ranks 23rd in Europe for money made from player sales, with only five leaving for transfer fees during January and the vast majority of the £15.6m being made by Celtic, whose B team has earned more than closest rivals Rangers this season. (Transfermarkt), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip

The Sportscene panel analyse Jota's contribution in Celtic's 3-0 win over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.