How 8 VIPs see Celtic vs Bayern playing out as Parkhead factor made clear but loudmouth German duo confident
It's the morning before the night ahead and what a blockbuster occasion we are set to witness.
The Champions League knockout play-off round is up and running and now it is the turn of Brendan Rodgers and Celtic as they welcome European heavyweights Bayern Munich to Glasgow for the first of two showdowns. The duo will battle it out once again in Bavaria next week with the big prize on offer a spot in the last 16 of Europe's premier competition.
But forget that trip to Germany, it is all about the here and now and some big leading names - including two Bayern stars - have had their say on what is to come under the lights at Parkhead. The Scottish champions have made the venue a fortress this season in the competition and will be out to keep things that way. But there’s a pair of loudmouth Germans who are writing off the hopes of Celtic over the two legs, insisting Vincent Kompany's side are too strong.
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Gordon Strachan
The former Celtic boss was speaking to Genting Casino as he insisted the atmosphere on the big European nights at Celtic Park may not scare the opponents - but it DOES give the home side that extra 10 per cent
"The funny thing about it is people used to say it was an inspiring atmosphere, it's an intimidating atmosphere. Not now, it's far from intimidating. Whether you're a home player or a player who's visiting, you've got to enjoy it.
“I keep hearing people like Harry Kane saying I'm looking forward to the atmosphere and rightly he should. But I think the main thing is that it inspires the Celtic players. I know what it’s like on a European night, I did it against Barcelona, AC Milan and Man United and I can tell you that players in those teams were too good to get spooked by a crowd.
“I’ve seen them sitting on the bench, when the music's getting played, You'll Never Walk Alone, and they keep looking about. It’s fantastic. It doesn't scare them. But what it does on the other side, it definitely, from somewhere, gives the Celtic players another 10 percent.
“If they’re not beaten, they've definitely got a chance. I think Celtic can take inspiration from the periods in the game they played against Aston Villa. If you're on the park that night, you've got to be a good player to play that game.
“If there's any weakness at all on your mental side or physical side, then it’ll show. Mental side is a lot easier than the physical side at times. I found that as a football player, being a smaller one. The mental side, but physically now and then, there were just people who were too big and too strong.”
Paul Scholes
Speaking on the overlap, the Manchester United hero fired a warning shot to Bayern Munich and told the German giants that Celtic CAN beat anyone under the lights at Parkhead on the big stage
"When I think of Celtic in the Champions League and European competition, I think they can beat anybody at home. Not a problem. But they always got beat away. It seems like they've got a little bit more solid away from home."
Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthaus has told Bayern he can't see ANY danger in the games with Celtic and the German side have a 'very good' chance of reaching the next round.
"I don't see any danger for Bayern at all in the games with Celtic. Their chances of reaching the Round of 16 are very good. Celtic have a home and an away face. The Scots won 3-1 at home against RB Leipzig, but remember, they lost 7-1 at Borussia Dortmund.
"I know Bayern may have conceded three goals in Rotterdam against Feyenoord and also against Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga. But they kept a clean sheet in their last game against Werder Bremen and looked better.
"Everything is going well for them at the moment. They are showing the quality they have...in contrast to Dortmund. Even for me, I used to make sure, for domestic games, to get there just before the whistle was blown. But a European night like that, I'd make sure I got down the tunnel really early so I could enjoy it. Get inspired with that."
Markus Babbel
Markus Babbel has dismissed any Celtic hopes insisting Bayern Munich will be too strong and have too much quality in their ranks. He reckons across the two legs the Bundesliga side will qualify for the next stage comfortably as they are on of the favourites to win the trophy
"Bayern Munich are still one of the favourites for the Champions League this season in my eyes, because they have a really strong squad. They’re back to believing they can win something – last year they were struggling, but this year under Vincent Kompany they look strong and look like a team that can win silverware.
"Yes, they did have massive problems with this new Champions League format this season – some fantastic games, but then the next game you’d think ‘mamma mia, why are they playing so badly?!’ But now we’re back to the old knockout format of the Champions League where you play away, and you play home over two legs – and in this format Bayern Munich will be too strong for Celtic.
"Of course, it’ll be a tough game for Bayern at Celtic Park on Wednesday night – it’s not easy there, it’ll be loud, so it’ll be hard for Bayern. But at home next week, they will be too strong for Celtic. They have too much quality. I can’t believe that Celtic will qualify for the next round.
"It won’t be a result like Borussia Dortmund’s 7-1 win against Celtic earlier this season, but across two games Bayern will win comfortably. And for me, as I said, they are one of the top favourites that can win the Champions League this season – now that they’ve reached the knockout stages, they can go all the way and win the competition under Vincent Kompany."
Harry Kane
The former Tottenham skipper and England star has heard all about the famous Parkhead atmosphere on European nights and can't wait to get a taste of it. He has billed this one as a challenging game as Bayern head to Glasgow for the first-leg.
"I have never played at Celtic Park. But I've heard a lot about the great atmosphere. It will be a challenging game for us. I'm on a good run with scoring penalties. But a miss can happen - it's happened before. I have various options that I can use when I am taking a penalty."
Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller has told anyone who is underestimating Celtic has NEVER seen them at Parkhead. He has picked out the atmosphere created on the big European nights being a real highlight as he warned Bayern: 'We have to deliver'
"The draw has given us Celtic. Anyone who underestimates the Scots has never seen them at Celtic Park. The atmosphere is amazing - it will be a real highlight for me. I am really looking forward to the game. Obviously, we wanted to get straight into the top eight in the Champions League. That was our clear goal. Unfortunately, we missed that.
"We are now looking forward and Celtic in the play-offs are waiting. We have to deliver. And if we do, after that, either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid will be next for us. So put your beer on ice! February will definitely be an exciting month for football."
Chris Sutton
The Celtic hero and Record Sport columnist reckons his old club could be in for a tough night and Brendan Rodgers should look at the Aston Villa playbook from when they defeated the German giants on their own turf during the league phase. He's also sounded the alarm bells over Harry Kane.
"Cameron Carter-Vickers will be vital to cope with his old Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane, for a start. There’s no doubt the England captain will be the major danger. Everyone knows he’s a lethal finisher, but he’s a clever player who can drop dead and drag defenders all over the place. Kane’s also not shy when it comes to hitting the deck in the penalty area too, something Celtic will need to be mindful about.
"It could be a tough night and I didn’t quite see the Villa Park display as tight a contest as some. Celtic did well to get back in the game but it really could have ended up five or six on the night. That’s a worry for the Bayern game but they should perhaps look to Villa’s display when they beat the Germans earlier in the competition.
"They were compact and resolute at the back, they sucked Bayern in and then hit them on the break. That might be the way to get a result this week to take to the Allianz Arena for the second leg. But I can’t shake the feeling Celtic have made it an even harder task by failing to deliver in the January window."
Raphael Guerreiro
Raphael Guerreiro is refusing to look ahead of Celtic and insists both sides have a 50-50 chance to go through. Playing the second leg in Munich is a small advantage as he warned a Scottish rival is 'always complicated' but they can't wait for the Parkhead atmopshere.
“This is the Champions League for real now and for Bayern we feel it’s impossible to fail. This squad believes we’ll be in the quarter-finals at least but we have to take care of this phase now. Celtic have a good squad and they’re in the same position, they want to win. It won’t be easy for us but we’re prepared for these two matches.
“I know the people see us as favourites. That’s normal but the reality is that both Bayern and Celtic have a 50-50 chance to go through. The statistics and history of the competition won’t decide the outcome, that’s not football. To play the second match in Munich is a little advantage for us. But our challenge is to obtain a positive score in Glasgow.
“We have watched Celtic and they have an excellent team. They deserve their place as one of the best teams in the Champions League. A Scottish rival is always complicated and the atmosphere at Celtic’s ground is sensational. But for us, that’s an attraction.”
