It’s a massive night under the lights in Glasgow as Bayern Munich rock up for a blockbuster Champions League occasion,
Celtic safely navigated the eight match league phase and booked a knockout round play-off with a game to spare after victory over Young Boys on matchday seven in the east end. Parkhead has proved to be a fortress for Brendan Rodgers’ men in the competition this season and they will be looking for that famous European night atmosphere and record to come to the fore once again.
The German giants of Bayern arrive with many superstars in their ranks like Harry Kane, Alphonso Davies and Manuel Neuer. But this is a real chance for the Hoops to create shockwaves on the European stage once again and look to grab a positive result ahead of the return showdown in Bavaria next week. But the focus is firmly on the here and now for the Scottish champions and Record Sport’s top team have delivered their predictions ahead of what promises to be a huge occasion.
Craig Swan
This a huge challenge for Celtic and they will be fired up. Home advantage will be a big help and they can match the Germans on their own patch in a cracking game of goals and excitement.
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Michael Gannon
Celtic have the firepower to cause Bayern problems, especially with Daizen Maeda back in business. But this is a seriously big ask for the Hoops and just keeping the tie alive going to Germany would be a success.
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Keith Jackson
Of course, they shouldn’t stand a chance. This is Bayern Munich after all. But Celtic played a blinder by successfully appealing Daizen Maeda’s two game ban and that’s given Brendan Rodgers a decent head start for this tie.
Furthermore, they’ll also have the backing of away fans at the Allianz. But that’s for another day. Right now all that matters is keeping the tie alive on home soil. And Rodgers might just be the man to manage it.
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Gavin Berry
This is a Bayern side who crashed to a 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord – sitting fifth in the Eredivisie table – and Brendan Rodgers’ men have enough, especially with the huge boost of Daizen Maeda being available, to get the draw that will at least keep the tie very much alive ahead of the return leg in the Allianz Arena.
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Fraser Wilson
This is as tough as it gets at Europe’s top table but at full strength and energised by an electric Parkhead, Celtic can go toe-to-toe with the Bundesliga giants. The availability of Daizen Maeda is massive as the Hoops front three can hurt Bayern. Keeping them out is the problem and a score draw will give them hope for the second leg.
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Kyle Gunn
Brendan Rodgers’ side have done well in European competition this season to get within 180 minutes of the last 16. The Irishman has been handed a big boost with the return of the speed merchant Daizen Meada after his Champions League ban was reduced on appeal. And Rodgers’ pressing game under the lights at Parkhead might give them a chance of taking a precious lead going into the second leg at the Allianz Arena.
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Graeme Young
Is there ever a good time to play a European heavyweight? Desperate isn’t a word you would associate with Bayern Munich, however, Vincent Kompany is hell-bent on proving himself of being an elite coach and Harry Kane is itching to banish his trophy hex. A loose and free home team with Maeda in place are capable of causing a fright.
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