Celtic

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator in Munich

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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

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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

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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.

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• 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.

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• 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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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).

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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."