Positivity is rapidly building for Celtic’s prospects in the Champions League off the back of their Atalanta stalemate.
The drubbing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund feels like a distant memory after the battling defensive display by Brendan Rodgers’ side to hold the Europa League winners and take a valuable league phase point away from Bergamo. And with a home game against RB Leipzig next on the agenda fans are optimistic they can make their mark on the competition and progress into the knockout stages.
But things look set to be far from straightforward with a host of tough ties on the cards – and with a Bundesliga side already dishing out a tough lesson to the Scottish Premiership champions this season nothing can be taken for granted with next week’s visit from Marco Rose’s side fast approaching. Here, Record Sport rounds up the results of Celtic’s opponents.
RB Leipzig (home November 5)
RB Leipzig have been dealt an injury blow for their Champions League clash with Celtic with goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi a major doubt. The veteran Hungarian international had to go off with an ankle injury during his side’s win against Freiburg with 22-year-old rookie keeper Maarten Vandevoordt coming on to make his debut for RB Leipzig after his summer signing from Genk.
The Bundesliga club now face a major sweat over the fitness of their No. 1 after Marco Rose confirmed he will definitely miss their German Cup tie against St Pauli this week and is a doubt for their weekend showdown in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. He said: “We still have to wait for the exact diagnosis.
“He wanted to try again after the break, but it didn’t work. When he left the pitch he immediately realised that it was pointless. But Maarten did well and he has earned it over the last few weeks and is a very calm and composed goalkeeper.
“He knows that he will get his opportunities and we also know what he can do. That is why he trains so hard. He showed a lot in a difficult situation when you come in at such short notice at half-time. It was an impeccable performance and a good debut and I have no worries about playing him in future matches if necessary.”
Club Brugge (home, November 27)
It’s back to back home games for the Hoops and they will be targeting maximum points against the Belgian side. After a sluggish start to the season, Club Brugge have gone unbeaten in their last four games as they saw off Anderlecht in a 2-1 win. Romeo Vermant and Chemsdine Talbi netted the crucial goals.
Dinamo Zagreb (away, December 10)
It will be music to Brendan Rodgers’ ears that Dinamo Zagreb collapsed on their own turf as he prepares for a trip to Croatia. Boss Nenad Bjelica has struggled to steady the ship since returning to the club in the wake of their 9-2 mauling at the hands of Bayern Munich – with just two wins to his name. They remain seven points off the pace in the title race after the 4-2 defeat to NK Osijek.
Young Boys (home, January 22)
The Swiss side are looking over their shoulder rather than eyeing a title fight. They suffered their sixth defeat in their first 11 games of the season to Lugano as their meek defence of the title rumbles on. Joël Magnin has come in as boss but has managed just one win since his appointment earlier this month.
Aston Villa (away, January 29)
Unai Emery’s side extended their seven-game unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth as Aston Villa kept their spot in the top four. But the boss was far from pleased after the full-time whistle, telling BBC Match of the Day: “At the last moment we didn’t control the match. Of course we deserved to win. It’s painful but we have to accept it.”