Celtic host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie with the Scottish side facing a mammoth task to reach the last 16 of the competition.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are flying high with a 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but this tie provides more difficult opposition in the form of one of the Champions League’s most successful sides.
Six-time winners Bayern may have only finished in 12th in the league phase but they top the Bundesliga by eight points, with a vast range of attacking talent including Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Harry Kane sure to test the hosts’ defence.
But Bayern’s European results have shown vulnerability, with their league phase including a 3-0 loss to Feyenoord, which will give Celtic plenty of hope that they can strike a blow to Vincent Kompany’s visitors ahead of the second leg in Munich next week.
Follow all the latest from Celtic Park in our live blog:
Celtic vs Bayern Munich LIVE
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Celtic host Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, with kick-off at 8pm
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Scottish side in first Champions League knockout tie since 2012 by reaching play-offs
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Bayern finished 12th after a campaign that saw them lose three of four away games
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Celtic given huge boost as Daizen Maeda cleared to play after ban overturned
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Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Idah
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Bayern XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Upamecano, Dier, Guerreiro; Laimer, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Sane; Kane.
Celtic FC – FC Bayern München
Team news
18:55 , Chris Wilson
Celtic have made eight changes to the side that beat Raith Rovers 5-0 at the weekend.
The entire back five is replaced, with the normal starting five of Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty and Taylor recalled.
In midfield, only captain Callum McGregor remains, with Reo Hatate and Arne Engels coming in for Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo.
In attack, Daizen Maeda is free to play after having a ban overturned, and himself and Kuhn both keep their places, with Adam Idah replacing Yang Hyun-Jun.
Line-ups
18:50 , Chris Wilson
Bayern XI: Neuer; Laimer, Upamencano, Dier, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Goretzka; Olise, Musiala, Sane, Kane.
Subs: Ulreich, Urbig, Min-Jae, Gnabry, Coman, Ito, Boey, Vidovic, Muller, Buchmann, Stanisic, Pavlovic.
Line-ups
18:47 , Chris Wilson
Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Idah
Subs: Sinisalo, Bain, Scales, Jota, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Nawrocki, Kenny, Murray, Ralston.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich early team news
18:43 , Chris Wilson
Line-ups are expected in the next few minutes so here’s a reminder of the team news:
Daizen Maeda, who has scored six goals in his last three games, is available for the first leg after his suspension was reduced from two Champions League games to one. The Japanese forward missed Celtic’s last match following his red card against Young Boys in the league phase. James Forrest also remains out with a foot injury he picked up against Rangers in December.
For Bayern, goalkeeper Daniel Peretz remains on the sidelines while the likes of Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito, Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are set to be assessed before the match in Scotland.
‘When we play our game I back us against anyone’
18:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Celtic defender Auston Trusty has backed his team to beat Bayern Munich if they can get their mentality right against the German giants.
“I think we are all really excited. It’s a great opportunity for the club and also us individually, and it’s one us as a collective have to take advantage of and play our game,” Trusty said.
“We need to go into it with the same mentality that we’ve had. I think it’s just the Celtic way in how we approach things. From when I first walked into the door you could immediately feel how the organisation approaches the game and everything in between. So, our mentality is not changing, we are just playing our game.
“100 per cent, I back this team with everything. I think when we are on it and we play our game with the right mindset as a collective then I would truly back us against anybody. So, it’s up to us.”
Kompany: ‘These are great opportunities to feel something very special’
18:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Vincent Kompany is expecting a “special” night of Champions League football at Celtic Park.
“Celtic have a great tradition in the Champions League. We will give them the respect they deserve, but we also have a great team. And as long as we understand how big and how important this game is, we will play well. These will be two difficult games and the important thing is that we advance.
“It’s certainly going to be special for us and for the fans. Celtic Park, in my experience, was one of the loudest stadiums I ever played in. We can enjoy the atmosphere. These kind of games are special, they are great opportunities to feel something very special. I’m happy to live through these moments and it will be an amazing Champions League night.”
Vincent Kompany expects ‘difficult night’ as a coach against Brendan Rodgers
18:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany is looking forward to facing Brendan Rodgers on the touchline after several encounters with the former Leicester and Liverpool manager as a player in England.
“It’s a coincidence, but my last ever game at the Etihad for Man City was when Brendan was a coach [at Leicester],” Kompany said. “I remember it was a must-win game for us and we didn’t have it all our way. We had a very, very strong team.
“So already coming to the Etihad, at that time at Leicester, a team where obviously Man City would have been the favourites, they pressed us, they had possession as well, and made it difficult for us to recover the ball.
“He always, within his squad design, plays in the front line with speed and one versus one ability. He had it at Leicester, he had it at Liverpool, of course and I’m seeing the same design over here.
“But in reality it’s the players who have got to do the job tomorrow. It’s our players against his players and they’re the ones doing it on the night.”
Brendan Rodgers highlights Celtic improvement ahead of facing Bayern
17:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Celtic boss Brendan Rogers believes his side have improved in Europe this season and are starting to take their domestic form into the Champions League.
“Bayern are one of the giants of the European game, they really are footballing royalty in terms of what they’ve achieved over many, many years at this level.
“So for us to be in a position to challenge them is a great marker. [What gives me confidence is] the way we mix up our game as well as our running power and physicality, which is something that we’ve really improved on at this level.”
Celtic atmosphere can ‘hurt’ Bayern Munich, says Rodgers
17:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic can “hurt” Bayern Munich if they can harness the power of Parkhead tonight.
“I go back to the Young Boys’ game here and I thought, when it could have got a little bit nervy in the last 15 minutes, the supporters were amazing.
“They sensed it and they really got behind the team and lifted the team. So that side is very important.
“It’s great. It’s where I wanted to take the club back to where we come here.
“It’s not just a tick-box exercise for players to come and say they’ve played at Celtic Park.
“You want them to hurt in this arena as well and you want them to find the challenges of that combination between the supporters and the players on the pitch, making it a really, really, really difficult night.
“And we’ve started to do that. Obviously this will be a massive test of that, but that’s what we sign up for.”
Celtic prepared to meeting with ‘European royalty’ in Champions League
17:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Brendan Rodgers spoke of Bayern Munich as “European royalty” ahead of tonight’s Champions League play-off against the six-time European champions.
“Bayern Munich are one of the giants of the European game. They really are football royalty in terms of what they’ve achieved over many, many years at this level.
“What is important for us is that we’re very much alive in the tie going over to Germany. I think that would be the key message for us.
“But we want to go and perform. We’re not frightened to lose. That’s not what this is about.
“This is about performing and if we can perform well, like we’ve shown in this competition, especially at home, hopefully we can get what we deserve.
“Our mindset looking into the game is to win the game to see if we can take an advantage across the next week.”
Brendan Rodgers ‘ran the legs off Daizen Maeda’ before ban overturned
16:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Brendan Rodgers admitted he “ran the legs off” Daizen Maeda in the last three games thinking the Celtic forward would be missing tonight.
“I ran the legs off him for three games. It was brilliant by the club, I’ve got to say, because he was always going to serve one game, but until you get the written report – which didn’t come through until Thursday/Friday last week – you can’t put in your appeal.
“But as soon as it did come in, obviously the club put in the appeal. Which, with the greatest respect to UEFA, we were thinking this probably wouldn’t bear fruit.
“And then when I got the call to say he was able to play, I thought, ‘goodness me, he’s played the three full games’.
“He couldn’t run any more as a striker, as a winger. But thankfully he’s just a bundle of energy, so he’ll be OK. I was a wee bit surprised when it came through.”
Brendan Rodgers explains why Daizen Maeda is ‘pivotal’ to Celtic
16:20 , Jamie Braidwood
Brendan Rodgers welcomed the surprise availability of top scorer Daizen Maeda as he explained why the forward is so important to Celtic.
“It’s such a great bit of news that we got, obviously, last night, early evening. He’s an extraordinary player.
“How he’s been this year for us, not just in goals, but what his value gives to the team in terms of his pressing and his honesty to the game.
“So to have that mentality and that ability available was a big surprise for us, but a nice surprise.
“Like most footballers, they’re good people. As a guy, he’s super professional. He’s in every day, does his work, does all the right things to prepare himself to be a top professional.
“He trains as he plays, so he’s very intense and gives everything in his training and, obviously, he then takes that personality onto the field.
“So he’s been an absolute joy to work with and just seeing him develop and grow over the course of the season.
“His ability, his finishing, but add to that, like I say, the work rate and intensity. He’s a really, really pivotal player for us.”
Celtic handed huge Daizen Maeda boost before Bayern clash
16:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Brendan Rodgers admitted it was a “big surprise” to have the “extraordinary” Daizen Maeda available for Celtic’s Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The Japan attacker was sent off in the 1-0 win over Young Boys last month and served the first game of his ban in the 4-2 loss away to Aston Villa.
It was thought Celtic’s top scorer this season would also miss the visit of the German giants but his two-match suspension was reduced to one after an appeal, with the news emerging on Monday.
Maeda has scored six goals in his last three games – and 22 in total for club and country this season.
Brendan Rodgers hails ‘world class’ Harry Kane ahead of tie
15:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Brendan Rodgers expressed his long-term admiration of “world class” Harry Kane ahead of the Bayern Munich striker’s visit to Celtic Park.
The England captain will lead the line for the German giants in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off at Parkhead tonight.
“Oh, he’s absolutely brilliant,” said the Celtic boss. “Obviously, I’ve known Harry for a long time and come across him many times.
“Harry’s actually one of those ones that until you’re stood on the side of the pitch and you face him, you actually only then really, really see his level.
“I know as a young player he came through the system at Tottenham. It wasn’t easy for him at the beginning. He had lots of loans getting out to clubs and didn’t quite work out.
“And then he was given the opportunity by Tim Sherwood at Tottenham. Tim had belief in him and had worked with him as a young player. Once he got into the team his development just improved from that. And you look at him now, he’s a world-class player.”
“I can’t speak highly enough of him. He was absolutely brilliant at Tottenham, showed the same for England and he’s gone out to Bayern and you just need to look at his goals record. A fantastic player and a good guy. We know that.”
Vincent Kompany explains key Celtic quality Bayern Munich must be wary of
15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Vincent Kompany has cautioned that Bayern Munich must be wary of Celtic’s winning mentality ahead of tonight’s Champions League play-off first leg in Glasgow.
The Bavarians, who lead the Bundesliga title race, failed to earn automatic qualification to the round of 16, setting up a two-legged playoff with the Scottish Premiership leaders.
While Bayern are clear favourites to progress, Kompany said Celtic’s domestic dominance ensured they would not be pushovers.
“We play against a team that is used to winning, to always go forward,” Kompany said. “The five players they deploy up front are used to scoring.
“This confidence is something you also take into big games. Maybe you defend less deep in your own league but clubs dominant in their own league remain so in big games.”
Celtic won when the Champions League changed – now they face a familiar challenge
15:00 , Jamie Braidwood in Glasgow
So far in the first season of the Champions League’s new inflated format, it has often been difficult to pinpoint the fixtures that matter and the ones that are just making up the numbers. But as Celtic welcome Bayern Munich to Glasgow for a play-off, 12 years to the day since the last time they hosted a Champions League knockout tie, there will be no doubting the significance of the occasion. “Very excited by it,” said Brendan Rodgers. “A great challenge for us.”
Celtic won when the Champions League changed – now they face a familiar challenge
Celtic vs Bayern team news, odds and prediction
14:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Prediction
Bayern Munich are the massive favourites to win this one and they should get the job done. Vincent Kompany may decide to go all out and try to settle the tie in the first leg with the knowledge that Bayern play the second leg at home and can rectify any slip ups. Celtic face a big test but if they can score they may be able to force an upset as Bayern’s European form hasn’t been fantastic this season.
Odds
Celtic to win – 11/2
Draw – 16/5
Bayern Munich to win – 3/10
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Is Celtic vs Bayern Munich on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
What is the Bayern team news?
14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
For Bayern,the likes of Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito, Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are set to be assessed before the match in Scotland.
Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Leroy Sane are expected to form a formidable front four – but Vincent Kompany has Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen to consider too.
What is the Celtic team news?
14:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Daizen Maeda, who has scored six goals in his last three games, is available for the first leg after his suspension was reduced from two Champions League games to one. The Japanese forward missed Celtic’s last match following his red card against Young Boys in the league phase.
James Forrest remains out with a foot injury he picked up against Rangers in December.
Team news
14:14 , Chris Wilson
Line-ups should be announced in the next five minutes or so, so here’s a reminder of the early team news.
Daizen Maeda, who has scored six goals in his last three games, is available for the first leg after his suspension was reduced from two Champions League games to one. The Japanese forward missed Celtic’s last match following his red card against Young Boys in the league phase.
James Forrest remains out with a foot injury he picked up against Rangers in December.
For Bayern, the likes of Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito, Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are set to be assessed before the match in Scotland.
Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Leroy Sane are expected to form a formidable front four – but Vincent Kompany has Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen to consider too.
Is Celtic vs Bayern Munich on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Champions League fixture
14:05 , Jamie Braidwood
When is Celtic vs Bayern Munich?
The Champions League play-off first leg between Celtic and Bayern Munich is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 12 February at Celtic Park.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage beginning at 7pm. Subscribers can also stream the match live on Discovery+.
Good afternoon
14:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Celtic’s performances through the league phase of the Champions League ensured they qualified for the play-off round and have a shot at reaching the last 16.
Brendan Rodgers’ team won three and drew three of their eight league games to finish 21st in the table, ahead of Manchester City, and set up a clash with the Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Since a 4-2 loss to Aston Villa in their final league phase match, the Hoops have won all three of their fixtures notching up 14 goals and conceding just once. They are in decent form but Bayern will be their biggest test of the season so far.
Vincent Kompany’s side finished 12th, one point outside the automatic last-16 berths, and will want to continue their run in the competition. Bayern are top of their domestic league with a lead of eight points which gives them leeway to field a strong team for this encounter.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich LIVE
10:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s another huge night of Champions League action as the new play-off round rolls on. Celtic face a tricky tie against Bayern Munich but will have home advantage in the first leg as the German giants come to Glasgow.
Kick off is at 8pm GMT.
Read the full article here