Celtic have only beaten Borussia Dortmund once in their history and I scored the winner - here's my gut feeling for tonight
Celtic have only beaten Borussia Dortmund once in four meetings with the German giants. And the man who scored the winner that night admits he would settle for a priceless point at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday.
Thousands of Hoops fans have descended upon Dortmund after landing a dream draw with the Bundesliga heavyweights in the new-look Champions League. Brendan Rodgers' men sit second in the revamped league format, only behind Bayern Munich on goal difference, after a stunning 5-1 opening-day win over Slovan Bratislava.
And the Premiership leaders will be aiming to make history by earning their first-ever win on German soil. Celts have lost 11 of their last 14 visits, only netting on five occasions, but head into tonight's mouthwatering showdown in red-hot form having smashed St Johnstone 6-0 at the weekend.
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Derek Whyte popped up with a dramatic late winner when Celtic first met Borussia Dortmund at Parkhead in the UEFA Cup 36 years ago. Murdo MacLeod returned to face Billy McNeil's side just months after leaving the club but it was defender Whyte who grabbed the headlines with a last-minute goal.
Dortmund won the return leg 2-0 to progress into the second round but almost four decades later, Whyte believes the class of 2024-25 have every chance of achieving a positive result. The Centenary legend told Football Scotland: "I wasn't aware actually that Celtic hadn't beaten Dortmund since 1987. Great night that was. I do think they've got a great chance on Tuesday night. They are a terrific team and right now I would take a draw. I think it will be 1-1."
Celtic's chances of causing a shock could hinge on the availability of Cameron Carter-Vickers as the USA international recovers from a foot injury. The colossal stopper has missed the Hoops' last two games and former defender Whyte admits CCV could be a major factor.
He said: "If Cameron Carter-Vickers misses it, it's a big loss but I hope he's playing. He's a terrific footballer. Celtic are always better with him playing in the team. Is he Celtic's main man? I think he's a very important player but I can't say he is the most important. He's a big part of the backbone and spine of the team but you also have Callum McGregor and the forwards. If he's playing, it'll be great. But it'll be a massive loss if he's not."
One man who will be starting at the heart of the defence is Liam Scales. The Irish stopper has silenced some of his critics by savouring a flawless start to the campaign. Scales won man of the match against Bratislava after opening the floodgates with a powerful header and Whyte admits £6million signing Auston Trusty faces a real battle displacing him when CCV returns to full fitness.
He added: "Scales has had a great start to the season. He hasn't really put a foot wrong. He's played very well in Europe this season as well and I think Austin Trusty, to get ahead of him, he's not got the experience to jump in just now."