Celtic Fan View: Bhoys show they belong at Europe's elite level after performance against Bayern

It was a case of heroic failure for Celtic as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich at Parkhead on match day four of the Champions League. The Hoops had the Bavarians on the back foot for the majority of the game but were left to rue lapses in concentration in defence. There was certainly pride in the display but, ultimately, a similar conclusion was drawn; at this level you have to be ruthless before others punish you.

In the build up to the match Brendan Rodgers urged his side to show their true personality, to be brave on the ball and to silence their critics. A number of players heeded that call but none more so than the three academy graduates that were handed starts by the Northern Irish coach. Those three were: Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and Callum McGregor.

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That in itself is a marker of how much of a gap exists between Celtic and Bayern. The Bhoys were hugely reliant on their homegrown products while the Germans had more than £150 million worth of talent that underperformed and still stole the victory. Yet the Celts went toe-to-toe with their illustrious opponents and were unlucky not to earn at least a point for their efforts.

Tierney, Forrest and McGregor in particular played with no fear, almost every action was positive and the latter two played a role in the equaliser that saw Parkhead explode. Forrest created it with a perfectly weighted pass to McGregor who finished with aplomb.

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It was Tierney, though, whose reputation enhanced most during the 90 minutes. A day after signing a new six-year contract with his boyhood club the 20-year-old was magnificent. He was up against one of the best wingers in the world in Arjen Robben but to nobody’s surprise he was far from overawed and came out on top in that duel.

Tierney was excellent defensively; typically alert, aggressive and going forward he sent a few teasing crosses into the Bayern penalty area. It was reported that 17 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs sent scouts to watch the youngster and none of them will head back down south disappointed by what they saw.

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He was, however, pipped to the man of the match award by Forrest who epitomised the message Rodgers sent to his players prior to kick-off. Celtic were far too passive at home to Paris Saint-Germain but showed personality in the way they pressed Bayern and made them uncomfortable. Forrest led the charge as constantly drove the Hoops forward, frightening the life out of David Alaba.

The winger was the source of many of Celtic’s chances and when it mattered he had the composure and vision to set up McGregor. McGregor, meanwhile, cemented his status as a hero; a player who has a moment of magic in his locker especially in front of goal. It’s some journey for a young man who many supporters didn’t trust or rate particularly highly but he’s become one of the club’s most appreciated players.

Unfortunately for the Scottish champions the fans could only celebrate the performance and not the result. The crowd were magnificent as always and joined in unison to salute the players at full-time. It’s been debated whether or not Celtic belong at this level and it was their ‘own’ who stood up to that challenge and did their club proud.