Celtic

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.

Watch highlights from Celtic Park as the Premiership leaders dispatch Dundee United 3-0. (UK users only)

We asked for your views on Celtic's 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Liam: We don't get a lot of credit for winning the league but this side shows amazing professionalism. Coming off the back of a tiring game against Bayern Munich and the levels were good. The quality shines through, and if one player isn't quite at it another steps up. Auston Trusty looks better every game.

Ray: Clinical and a refreshing performance all round. Jeffrey Schlupp is finding his feet and a stronger option at left-back with his phyisque plus Jota is building up to his lethal best. It's all about a strong, concentrated team performance away to Bayern which is all that can be asked for.

Steven: Twisting, turning and scoring Jota on the wing part two looks like a sequel worth seeing. The Portuguese adds another dimension to Celtic's attacking play. As a Celt I'm so glad he's back, what a re-signing. Adam Idah with the icing on the cake.

Christine: Fascinating, since Kyogo Furuhashi's departure everyone seems to have stepped up. Jota has only been back home two weeks and he's getting back to his brilliant self.

Bear: Good, solid, professional performance and well-deserved three points. Daizen Maeda has to start through the middle on Tuesday. It was a different game when the switch was made midweek, Bayern looking rattled by his pressing and speed.

Image source, SNS

• Celtic have kept a clean sheet in 19 of their 26 games, more than any other in the Premiership this season.

• Jota has contributed to goals in his last four games in the Premiership (two goals, two assists).

• Celtic have scored 19 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, more than any other team in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee United have lost their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 6 May 2023 to 28 May 2023, a run of five games.

• Dundee United have failed to score a first-half goal in 19 of their 26 games, no team has failed to do so more often in the Premiership this season.

Manager Brendan Rodgers urges Celtic to be bold in their Champions League play-off decider with Bayern Munich in Germany on Tuesday, with the Scottish Premiership leaders trailing 2-1. (Sun), external

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany believes it was good his side were made to defend in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, with Celtic up next on Tuesday. (Record), external

Jota may have played his way into the Celtic starting XI in Munich after his scoring performance in Saturday's 3-0 win over Dundee United. (Herald - subscription), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Celtic prepared for their Champions League trip to Bayern Munich by continuing the march towards another Scottish Premiership title with a convincing win over Dundee United.

Fine first-half finishes from Callum McGregor and Jota made the difference before Adam Idah fired a sensational late third as the home side extended their lead to 16 points, with closest challengers Rangers visiting Hearts on Sunday.

With just 12 league fixtures remaining for Celtic, that gap looks impenetrable.

Another clean sheet means Brendan Rodgers' side have won every home league game bar a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, having not conceded in any other Premiership match at Celtic Park this season, while United's defeat drops them to fourth place.

Celtic fans, were you at Parkhead on Saturday or following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the game.

Have your say., external

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I thought we were excellent today off the back of a tough physical game in the midweek. The level of the game and the quality of the goals was outstanding.

"[Callum McGregor] is such a big tactical reference for the team. He sits in there and controls the game. Overall, he was excellent.

"We want to win every game. If you don't do your work, or you look for an easy game, that's when you come unstuck. United have been fantastic this season. We knew we had to play to a good level to get a result."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Quality was the difference. Callum McGregor and Jota's goals had that and this could have been a far healthier scoreline. Adam Idah's was the pick of the bunch as his eye for goal has been fully rediscovered.

Resting Daizen Maeda, for the most part, and Nicolas Kuhn has no obvious impact. Jota started, his influence grew and he seems to be working his way back to the kind of form he showed in his first stint.

Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to find a starting role for the Portuguese winger in Munich on Tuesday but is blessed in those areas. Perhaps Maeda may be of use as the main striker given his pace and intensity but Idah's emphatic finish may counter that idea.

This was another convincing win. One in which you felt the champions had a number of gears left to find if required.

Image source, SNS

A superb strike from captain Callum McGregor set Celtic on their way to victory over Dundee United. The holding midfielder followed up the opener with a fantastic shift in the middle of the park for the full 90.

Image source, Getty Images

Mathias Kvistgaarden, the 23-year-old striker who had a January transfer to Celtic collapse after the clubs failed to agree a fee, says he is happy at Brondby. (Record), external

Newcastle have joined Brentford and Brighton in the hunt to sign Celtic's 25-year-old German winger Nicolas Kuhn. (Teamtalk), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo faces four to five weeks out with an ankle injury while James Forrest has just started running again after a foot injury.

Dundee United remain without Craig Sibbald (groin).

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers has praised the improvement of Yang Hyun-jun and insists the winger is "still developing" at Celtic.

The 22-year-old came off the bench in Wednesday night's 2-1 Champions League play-off defeat to Bayern Munich and set up Daizen Maeda for the goal which keeps Celtic in the tie for their trip to Germany.

The South Korean youth international has struggled to make a notable impact since arriving in summer 2023 but has contributed two goals and four assists this season.

"Yang has done really well," Rodgers said.

"He's looking strong, he's improving and he came on and gave us that energy. The Champions League is an arena where you need your squad, the level of physicality that is required, you need those players that can come on and impact the game for you which I think he did.

"Yang has done great for us, he's a young player still developing and adapting to the culture and everything about the game here and the size of the club but he's made a valuable contribution this year.

"There's ones ahead of him but when he's been asked to play he's done well. He wants to improve his numbers and he's starting to affect games more.

"Because of the intensity of which we play, we need four or five wingers. We can see improvement, the strength in his game and for him it's about efficiency. He presses the game, he works very hard and I like that side of him."

Chris Bertram
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before the Scottish Premiership game against Dundee United on Saturday.

Here are the key things he said:

• Paulo Bernardo will be out for up to five weeks with an ankle injury but otherwise the squad that faced Bayern Munich is available to take on United. James Forrest is running again but will not return to the first team for a few weeks.

• Rodgers praised Yang Hyun-jun for improving his numbers and affecting games more. The manager said the winger is still adapting to the culture and size of the club but has made "valuable contributions with energy and physicality".

• The Celtic boss will rotate some positions against United because the turnaround to the Bayern second leg is so quick and Rodgers says his side will "have to be at a real high level physically" for the game in Germany on Tuesday.

• He also warned Celtic need to be ready physically on Saturday, not least because since United's last game, his side have played four times.

• Rodgers said his side have faced an "unrelenting schedule" but praised his players for their focus, pointing to the Dundee match at the end of seven games in 21 days as the only one where their intensity dropped.

• The boss is "so happy" Daizen Maeda "getting the reward in terms of his numbers and his finishing". He said the forward is really high on confidence and praised his "will to do it repetitively" - but that he has to be "mindful he is still human" and so has tried to manage his load this season.

Chris Bertram
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Third-placed Dundee United are the visitors to Celtic Park this weekend, so it is a long way from the Premiership leaders' most straightforward game of the season.

That said, the Tangerines have won just once in five league games, and Celtic's lead at the top is 13 points.

So, while Brendan Rodgers will be focused on a win against Jim Goodwin's side, he will surely have one eye on Tuesday's Champions League game at Bayern Munich, when Celtic need to turn around a 2-1 deficit.

Could that therefore mean a start on Saturday for Jota, to get the Portuguese winger valuable minutes as he seeks sharpness?

He has understandably looked short of top form since he returned to Glasgow after relatively little football in the past 18 months, but Celtic looked a more effective team when he came on against Bayern in the first leg.

Perhaps just as important, his introduction meant Daizen Maeda moved more central, and his harassing of Bayern's defenders forced them to hit more long balls under pressure.

If Jota starts against United, would a game alongside Maeda as the central striker help their understanding or might Adam Idah continue as the number nine to give the workaholic Japan forward a rest before the do-or-die match in Germany?

Read all this weekend's Premiership picks

• Celtic are unbeaten in 21 meetings with Dundee United in all competitions (W16 D5) since going down 2-1 in December 2014 under Ronny Deila.

• Dundee United have failed to win each of their past 49 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D12 L37). The only side to fail to win 50+ consecutive away games against the Hoops in all competitions were Kilmarnock from 1957 to 2011 (64).

• Celtic have conceded in just one of their 12 home league games this season (2-2 draw v Aberdeen in October), winning their past eight at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership by an aggregate score of 29-0.

• Dundee United have lost four of their past five league games (W1), as many as their first 20 such matches of the season beforehand (W9 D7 L4).

• Celtic's Daizen Maeda has scored in his past three Premiership appearances (four goals), his longest scoring streak in the competition. Since Christmas, he has 10 goal involvements in the top flight (six goals, four assists), more than any other player.