Thomas Muller has personal Celtic incentive as Bayern Munich icon eyes Champions League history
Bayern Munich need no extra motivation in their quest for a seventh Champions League crown. But Thomas Muller has a personal incentive at Celtic Park tonight.
Vincent Kompany's superstars have the chance to win football's most famous prize on home turf this year as the final will be staged at the Allianz Arena - 15 years after the club's agonising penalty shootout defeat to Chelsea in Munich. Playoff rivals Celtic currently stand in their way of a place in the last 16 against either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid, and Brendan Rodgers' men will try and take advantage of the German giants' ropey form on the road on Wednesday night.
Yet while the Bundesliga leaders go into the Glasgow showdown as heavy favourites, legendary forward Muller has set his sights on making history. The 35-year-old's goal in last month's 3-1 triumph over Slovan Bratislava means he has now been involved in a staggering 81 Champions League goals, scoring 56 and assisting 25. If he scores or supplies another goal at Parkhead, the two-time European Cup winner will equal Robert Lewandowski's club record of 82 goal contributions.
The Germany great - who has also won 12 Bundesliga titles, the 2014 World Cup and 131 caps for his country - is joint-sixth with Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Champions League's all-time scorer rankings with 56 goals, 15 behind Real Madrid icon Raul in fifth place. However, Muller is refusing to write off the Hoops as he looks forward to savouring the famous Parkhead atmosphere for the first time.
He said: "Anyone who underestimates the Scots has never experienced them at Celtic Park. This atmosphere is amazing; this will be a real highlight. And after that, either Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid would be waiting for us. So get your beer cold, February is going to be an exciting football month."
