Celtic

Tino
Fan writer

Hear me out, but Celtic’s 7-1 hammering at the hands of Borussia Dortmund just over a month ago might just be the best thing to have happened in terms of our chances of progressing in this season's Champions League.

Think of it this way - had we lost by the odd goal or two in Germany, would the backlash have been anywhere near as intense as it was? Would the players have felt the sting had the result only been 2-0, for example?

And crucially, would Brendan Rodgers have made the changes he went on to make for the subsequent draw with Atalanta, had he not experienced that punishing defeat from Nuri Sahin's side?

I'd argue that a firm 'no' is the answer to all of the above.

Make no mistake, despite only collecting one point on the night, that draw with a seriously talented Atalanta has breathed new life into this campaign.

In the aftermath of the Dortmund result, Rodgers maintained that he was an attacking coach - always had been and always will be - and that he wouldn't bend on those principles.

Despite calls to park the bus, he would go on to name a side in the same 4-3-3 formation that he's always played since returning to Glasgow.

He did however make some notable tweaks.

In came Alex Valle and Reo Hatate for Greg Taylor and Paolo Bernardo, and, perhaps most significantly, Adam Idah was preferred to Kyogo Furuhashi up top.

The key on the night, however, was discipline.

Gone was the high press which led to Dortmund finding so much space on matchday three; in came a more streetwise and controlled aggression from the start.

Yes, we rode our luck at times, but there was no doubt that the lessons of Dortmund had been learned and, more importantly, that they were applied in Bergamo.

At Celtic Park on Tuesday, Rodgers and this talented group have the chance to take their next steps forward as a team and show that they continue to learn in the cut-throat environment of the Champions League.

If they do so then maybe, just maybe, they could take a massive leap closer towards qualifying for the knockout stages.

• Tino can be found at the Celtic Exchange., external

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Celtic midfielder Arne Engels says the chance to prove themselves against German opposition isn't something he or his teammates are focusing on before their Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Engels became Celtic's record signing when he arrived in Glasgow from Augsburg last summer.

The 21-year-old was part of the Celtic side beaten 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund on his return to Germany last month, but insists he is not dwelling on that result before Celtic welcome Leipzig to Celtic Park.

"Not really, we want to win every game," Engels said. "That’s always our mindset and that’s always the mindset of Celtic also.

"We are playing at home, so of course we want to put in a good performance and I think we will. It's not really a revenge or something about the Bundesliga team at all.

"We just need to look at ourselves and be prepared and I think we will be."

Celtic recovered from their heavy defeat by Dortmund to earn a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in their last Champions League outing, and Engels says that performance showed they can be defensively solid at the highest level.

"We are pretty confident," Engels said. "We showed that we can really defend and can play against really good teams. You see Atalanta now in Serie A playing really amazing football and beating Napoli in the weekend.

"That shows confidence for us that we can do that against really good teams."

Several English Premier League clubs have already inquired about Nicolas Kuhn after his excellent performances for Celtic this season, with the German winger valued at over €10m. (Florian Plettenberg on X), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

• Tuesday will be the fifth meeting of Celtic and RB Leipzig, with the Scots winning once and the German outfit triumphing three times.

• Celtic's last win over German opposition was a 2-1 home victory against Leipzig during the group stage of the Europa League in 2018.

• Leipzig are winless in their past five Uefa competition matches, including four losses and one draw.

• The Bundesliga side last won away from home against foreign opposition against Young Boys in Switzerland in last season's Champions League group opener.

• Top scorer Daizen Maeda is bidding to become the first Celtic player to score three times in a Champions League group or league phase since Moussa Dembele in 2016.

• Leipzig are bidding to be the first away winner at Celtic Park in any competition since Hearts in December, 2023.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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"The boys are very aware of it, you can feel it in the dressing room."

RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose says his side are incredibly aware their current tally in the Champions League (zero points) is nowhere near where it needs to be and they must soon start picking up points.

The German side have had three tough games to kick-start the new format of the competition against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Juventus and have suffered three defeats.

"We know what we have until now is not enough and we need to start getting points some day," Rose said.

"Of course it’s a very important match. Matchday one was like that, match day five and six will be like that.

"We are not talking too much about the points. Everyone is aware of the situation, the boys are very aware of it, you can feel it in the dressing room."

Rose has enjoyed success at Celtic Park and his going for his hat-trick of wins in Glasgow's East End.

"The fans mean you need to be ready if you want to win here," he said. "It will be a great atmosphere and we have to use it because we like to play in these kinds of stadiums.

"We will have to defend all they give us to defend as well. But I'm sure we'll get our chances in possession and transition and when we do we have to take these chances.

"I always like coming here, I like the history of the club, I appreciate fan culture a lot.

"I remember my first match here with Salzburg in the Europa League very well, we played very well and the supporters accepted and honoured the result. I actually had some contact with a few supporters, they offered me a scarf. This creates a connection, and I also like their manager."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Brendan Rodgers insists "every Champions League game is like a cup final" for Celtic as they prepare for their fourth match of the campaign against RB Leipzig.

The Scottish champions have four points from their first three games, while Tuesday's opponents are yet to get off the mark, but Rodgers says his side are "desperate for more points".

"Every game for us at this level is a cup final," he said. "I mentioned that right at the beginning of this competition to our players – we have eight finals to see if we can get into that play-off stage.

"They've had tough games, they'll obviously be disappointed with the Juve game where they were at home and they lost a man and lost the game. Of course, you come into this fourth game then they'll be obviously desperate to get points on the board.

"But thankfully we are too and that should mean for a really, really fantastic game."

Celtic picked up one of those points with a defensively robust display in Bergamo. A much changed approach from the one deployed in the Dortmund dismantling.

Rodgers said he's enjoying learning about his side.

"I think RB Leipzig will be no different to Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund," he said. "A top team right towards the top of their league, they have everything that you would want in a top European side – speed, strength, power and technique.

"We really look to bring our energy to the game but also know that we'll have to defend for a good period of the game as well and defend with the concentration and commitment that we did in Atalanta.

"It's the highest level of European football, so we're playing against a lot of teams that are superior to us and from superior leagues.

"So that's a challenge in itself and is absolutely great. Trying to find ways to gain the results that can bring you to your end point.

"It's an amazing competition to be involved in. You have some games where you have to take your medicine, but I'm pretty sure it's all learning and it's no different to probably yourselves.

"I'm pretty sure you don't write your scripts first up all the time. I'm sure you draw your line through some pieces of paper and whatever else and we're exactly the same, where we learn, we hope to be better, improve."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is "excited" about facing RB Leipzig in Tuesday's Champions League match in Glasgow.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media before his side’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Here are some of the key points he made:

• Rodgers says "every game for Celtic in the Champions League is like a cup final" and that his side will "need to bring their 'A-game'" against Leipzig tomorrow with a near perfect performance required against the Bundesliga club.

• The manager says he's expecting a similar challenge to the one they faced against Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund as he views Leipzig as "a top team, who have everything you want in a top European side - speed, strength, power and technique." He adds that, "it's a brilliant challenge for his side, and one they're looking forward too".

• Rodgers says patience will be key in this match and that while players will want to press at times, they won't be able to sustain that. He also knows Celtic will have to defend for good periods and defend with concentration and commitment.

• The Celtic manager also sent a message to fans warning against the use of pyrotechnics, saying "it's not something we want to see, especially with that Uefa sanction hanging over the fans".

• In regards to team news, he says everyone is OK but wouldn't be drawn on whether he has a hard decision to make at centre-back between Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.

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In the league, Aberdeen and Celtic have been inseparable so far this season. It was a totally different story on Saturday in the League Cup.

Brendan Rodgers' side blew the Dons away at Hampden, with a seismic win.

"They were absolutely fantastic," Aiden McGeady said of his former side's display on the Scottish Football Podcast. "The way that I looked at that game yesterday was almost like - I don't want to be too disrespectful to Rangers here - that was the rivalry now.

"You see the way that all the players celebrated when they scored. You see the fans, hear the noise in the stadium. It made me feel that Aberdeen have jumped ahead of Rangers, especially in the league.

"It almost was as if think the team had added impetus going on from that league game, as if they had almost something to prove."

Celtic were 2-0 up on Aberdeen at Parkhead just a few weeks ago, before the visitors came back to draw 2-2 and continue their unbeaten start under new manager Jimmy Thelin.

"They've dropped two points at home against Aberdeen, then they get them in the League Cup semi-final. A lot of praise has been showered on Thelin and his recruitment and his adaptation to the Scottish game and the way the players are brought into his style of play.

"But every single player on the park played free-flowing attacking football. [Daizen] Maeda was fantastic, but I think the outstanding player in Scottish football this season has been Nicholas Kuhn. Every time he’s on the pitch, he impacts the game and yesterday was no different."

• Aiden McGeady was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which you can listen and subscribe to here on BBC Sounds.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

It'll be of no shock that Celtic players dominate my team of the week.

Alistair Johnston's energy, aggression and tenacity was imperative to Celtic at the national stadium. The man’s a machine at right-back for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is the best central defender in the Premiership and got the ball rolling and the scoring going against Aberdeen.

Reo Hatate put in another superb display in midfield on the big stage. A Rolls-Royce when he’s in the mood.

Nicolas Kuhn grabbed an assist and a goal - again! A signing who was a slow burner but one who is now consistently one of Celtic’s key men.

Daizen Maeda was just outstanding. A physical phenomenon with his pace, drive and turbo-charged attitude. A hat-trick and an assist. Utterly superb.

With three of Celtic’s next four matches in the Champions League at home, defender Cameron Carter-Vickers believes they will be defining, saying: "If we can get something from the game on Tuesday (RB Leipzig), we'll almost be there." (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your thoughts on Celtic's 6-0 League Cup semi-final win against Aberdeen.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Stephen: Although Celtic were three up in the first half and our manager gets booked for diving, I felt we weren't in total control of the game. The second half was a totally brilliant half. Celtic were magnificent. Another three goals scored and a clean sheet. Kasper Schmeichel didn't have much to do. Great result against an Aberdeen side who have been very impressive this season.

Charles: This result and performance has been coming and really shouldn’t be that too much of a surprise. 2-0 at half time at Celtic Park, Aberdeen were let off the hook, a very casual and unprofessional approach to the second half allowed them the unlikely draw and on reflection deserved in the end, they weren't so fortunate this time!

Jim: We blew Aberdeen away with our intensity and the pace of game. They had no answer except to try and foul and disrupt our rhythm. A stricter referee would have sent off at least one or two Aberdeen players.

David: Aberdeen put to the sword by a highly impressive Celtic who were totally on their 'A' game. Terrific performance, best this season. Celtic fully recovered from their own big European hammering. Daizen Maeda was the star of the show. Commentators saying the Dons were poor compared to recent performances; that's because Celtic didn't allow it. Brilliant!

Daithi: Absolutely outstanding performance. What a passing master class by Celtic. Have said all season that no Scottish club can handle our style of fast passing football and clinical finishing at this moment in time. Our players have the hunger to play for the shirt and more importantly our great club.

Benny: A totally dominant display from an on fire Celtic that slapped Aberdeen down with relative ease. Right from the delayed kick off Celtic looked up for it and were sharp all over the pitch. They had way too much energy and class for a resurgent Aberdeen and I'm hopeful they can take this kind of form going into Europe midweek.

Paul: Just far too good, showed their strength and mentality for winning and will do the treble this year. I think they will also qualify for the knock out stage of the Champions League and will get better as the season progresses, plus some more signings in January.

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Nicolas Kuhn says Celtic still have room for improvement despite their 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen - Scotland's other form side - to reach the League Cup final.

The 24-year-old winger scored the fifth goal at Hampden to set up a meeting with either Motherwell or holders Rangers.

"I think, if you win 6-0, you don't have to play better, but of course there are things to improve and we are going to do that," Kuhn told BBC Scotland.

The victory ended Aberdeen's 16-game unbeaten run since manager Jimmy Thelin arrived this summer while extending Celtic's own unbeaten domestic run to 13.

The Dons are the only Scottish side to deny Celtic a win after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Glasgow last month.

Asked if that Premiership match was in his side's minds, Kuhn replied: "Not too much, but we all knew we had to do better and today was the cup and the goal was to get into the final.

"We learned our lesson from the league game against them and today we scored some good goals."

The German was not concerned about the result sending a message to their league rivals.

"I think it can be a statement, but we just did really well and we focus on us," Kuhn added.

"There is a still a long way to go, but we are going to focus on ourselves and, if we keep performing like this, everything is in our hands."

Leipzig's Scottish assistant coach Cameron Campbell, 33, says he "grew up playing Football Manager", which contributed to his transition from playing to coaching, with the German side visiting Celtic Park on Tuesday. (Sunday Mail), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Manager Brendan Rodgers reflects on Celtic's performance and his fall on the sidelines after his side secured a place in the Scottish League Cup final by thrashing Aberdeen 6-0.

Were you at Hampden or following the match from home?

Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "An outstanding team performance. You come up against a team that has been so, so good.

"We knew it would be a challenge. We had to bring our A-game. And the players did that, in particular during the second half.

"We were ruthless. We worked the ball really well to create the space and made good runs. Lots of really good moments.

"It's a beautiful pitch here at Hampden. It's perfect for the football we want to play."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic shipped a two-goal lead in the draw earlier this month, so Brendan Rodgers' side had a point to prove and they did that by delivering an ominous message to the Dons.

Albeit in a different competition, the win severely dents any chat about a potential season-long title race between the clubs, who both travelled to Hampden with unbeaten domestic records.

Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda were simply unplayable at times, although Aberdeen will feel they could have done better in spells.

Maeda's relentless penetrating runs gave Aberdeen right-back Nicky Devlin a torrid evening and his run and set-up play for Kyogo Furuhashi's goal was breathtaking.

German winger Kuhn, meanwhile, showed immense quality with line-breaking passes and a stunning run in the lead-up to Maeda's second. Kuhn's thumping finish for Celtic's fifth capped a superb performance.

It was a Celtic display that asserted their domestic dominance - and Rangers boss Philippe Clement and Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell would have watched knowing whatever team gets to the final will need to deliver an almighty showing to claim the trophy.