Champions League Archives

Celtic hearts broken by last minute Davies winner

With seconds to go Celtic were left distraught after Alphonso Davies’ equaliser put Brendan Rodgers’ men out 3-2 on aggregate. Bursting into life Celtic took a lead through an excellent finish from Nicolas Kühn after Daizen Maeda poked a ball through to the German who was almost dispossessed by a sliding Kim Min-Jae, the defender’s clearance poor however allowing the forward to collect and silence the crowd. As the game looked set to reach extra-time, a Leon Goretzka header saved point blank by Kasper Schmeichel deflected the ball into the path of Cameron Carter-Vickers but the defender cleared into Davies who bundled the killer ball home. In hindsight, Celtic will come to rue the missed opportunities of the first half. Racing forward Callum McGregor, fired high and wide wasting an opportunity that Celtic would later come to rue. The visitors had further clear cut chances in quick succession. Jota teeing up Kühn who had the beating of Manuel Neuer but Raphaël Guerreiro ran back to clear the ball off the line. Seconds later Maeda saw a low ball drilled across the floor but he couldn’t set his feet. Maeda would waste another opportunity, to Rodgers’ visible frustration, skying the chance with Neuer off his line. Growing into the game, Kane forced Schmeichel into a strong save, his effort deflected off Auston Trusty. The game was starved of opportunities for over 20 minutes but Joshua Kimmich fired the next one wide. Harry Kane came closest for the home side in the first half, his thundering effort blasted but could only rattle the crossbar. In the first of many attempts on goal, Goretzka was denied one on one by Schmeichel with just over a minute played in the second-half. Opportunities for Celtic continued after the break as a whipped ball from Arne Engels saw Maeda launch himself with a diving header which fired straight into the keeper. Not long after, Goretzka attempted a carbon copy but the German could not hit the target. Reinforcements wake Bayern from haze The most possession in the competition but as the cynics will be all too quick to observe, it means very little when you’re not doing anything with it. Sterile possession as it’s often referred to. For just over an hour, Bayern held the lion’s share of the ball but could not muster a clear cut opportunity. Instead they moved the ball about, hoping to see out a 2-1 aggregate and progress to a round that, on paper, they should have already been in. Then came the sucker punch and Kompany had visions of a slip-up far greater than the one he had in trying to retrieve the ball off the pitch. Off came 213 caps in Kane, Gnabry, Musiala and Guerreiro and on came 301 in Leroy Sané, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and that Alphonso Davies. The wealth of options at their disposal dizzying yet they did little to faze their visitors. Who, despite the rising tempo, held on until extra-time looked as good as sealed. Until it wasn’t and just half a minute later, the whistle confirmed it was all over. Bayern’s players celebrating but knowing full well that if they are to do come anywhere near adding a seventh continental trophy they will need to be far, far better. Celtic will learn from cruel lesson Make no mistake, despite their exit, this is a remarkable achievement for Celtic. Having struggled to clamber out of the pits of Europe’s group stages since 2013, the travelling side took full advantage of the re-jigged format to earn a shot knock-out glory. Bayern was always come to be difficult at home, let alone away but Celtic banished the demons that Celtic Park kept at bay. Thumped by Dortmund on the road, critics were quick to point out the performances in Glasgow could not be repeated without the comforts of home. A draw not, although not enough to see them through, has shown that Brendan Rodgers’ and his side are constantly learning and evolving. Building into something that could see games like these become a yearly occurrence. Time will tell as vultures will no doubt circle around the likes of Kühn and Maeda, if they can continue to build new sides but that is something the board will no doubt be planning ahead for. In the meantime, Celtic will put their disappointment behind them and fully set their sights on the domestic game as they remain on course for another treble. Line-ups: Bayern Munich: Neuer (c), Raphaël Guerreiro (Davies 64), Kim Min-Jae, Upamecano, Stanišić, Goretzka, Kimmich, Gnabry, Musiala (Müller 95), Olise, Kane (Coman 46) Unused subs: Boey, Dier, Ito, Lammer, João Palhinha, Pavlović, Uribe, Vidović Goals: Davies (90+4) Celtic: Schmeichel, Schlepp, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston, Hatate, McGregor (c), Engels, Jota (Idah 60), Maeda, Kühn (Yang Hyun-Jun 69) Unused subs: Bain, Bonnar, Kenny, McCowan, Murray, Nawrocki, Ralston, Scales, Sinisalo, Taylor Goals: Kühn (63)

February 18, 2025

Drama, Decisions & Deciders: Scottish Football Managers in the Spotlight!

With a crucial Champions League showdown looming, Brendan Rodgers has issued a rallying cry to his Celtic squad—go bold or go home! The Hoops boss is urging his side to seize the moment in Germany, where they must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich to keep their European dream alive. Meanwhile, Bayern’s own Vincent Kompany is playing it cool, suggesting that his side’s 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen was the perfect defensive test ahead of Celtic’s visit. But could Jota shake things up? The Portuguese winger has surely staked his claim for a starting spot after a dazzling performance in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Dundee United. Speaking of Dundee United, Jim Goodwin insists that Will Ferry and Kevin Holt were merely rested against Celtic and should be back in action next week. Nothing to see here, folks—just a precaution! Over at Rangers, Philippe Clement is facing the heat. His side’s shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park has left fans fuming, and his decision to hook Bailey Rice at half-time didn’t go unnoticed. The 18-year-old was dropped for failing to “break the lines” with his passing, but Clement insists he still believes in the youngster. With pressure mounting, Clement is standing firm, refusing to walk away from what he calls the “toughest period” of his career. Elsewhere in Scottish football, Hibs’ new shot-stopper Jordan Smith has been left “blown away” by the standard of the game, while Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has showered praise on the travelling Dons support after their gritty win at Dundee. And let’s not forget the SWPL drama—Glasgow City’s Leanne Ross has been grilling refereeing chief Willie Collum over some questionable decisions. With all these talking points, Scottish football is delivering non-stop drama on and off the pitch!

February 16, 2025

Celtic are pushing for a seat at the table of Europe’s elite

More than a European knock-out match, more than a visit from eight time European champions or a side with a combined 935 international caps featuring, the 90 minutes at the rip-roaring Celtic Park was a test. A test to see if Celtic can dine at the same table as the Munich’s and Barcelona’s of Europe. There is no doubt Celtic want to be among Europe’s elite, however ludicrous that might sound given that they had previously failed to make the knock-out rounds of the competition since 2013. But, such is the ambition of manager Brendan Rodgers, who believes his side belong with the continental big boys who can afford the luxury of splurging Celtic’s entire (almost always unspent) kitty on one player. Within 90 seconds played it looked as though had blown a hole through Vincent Kompany’s no doubt meticulous notes for the evening, but it proved to be just a shot across the bow as Adam Idah was adjudged to have interfered with Manuel Neuer’s vision as Nicolas Kuhn’s effort split through the Munich defences. Then came time for the home side to answer the question on everyone’s mind. Punters and fans alike knew they could score, the mauling of RB Leipzig, one of the three Bundesliga sides they have now faced, was clear as day. Instead people wondered, will Rodgers stick to his guns, play out from the back and launch wild attacks in the face of opposition even greater than the Dortmund side that had delivered that 7-1 shellacking in October. In the days that followed right up until this fixture, the Northern Irishman has never wavered from his beliefs, even when conceding goals like they did as Dane Murray saw his pocket picked in the loss to Aston Villa. Granted, there were nervy moments as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty attempted to bypass not two or three but four Bayern attackers hounding them at the scent of slightest whiff of doubt but they persevered with the plan. With each passing wave of attack, every quick one-two and dazzling touch from the effervescent Jamal Musiala, Celtic’s players must have felt like they were up agains the final boss before they had even reached the Quarter-finals. Such is the format that has perhaps put a spanner in the works of the wannabe ‘Super League’ teams, who have haggled and fought for the opportunity to spend as few nights as possible in stadiums like Celtic Park. Although in their defence Bayern, having never supported the project, have found themselves in the crossfires as innocent bystanders. Not that there was anything innocent about the way Michael Olise almost tore a hole in Kasper Schmeichel’s net with a stunning effort that had Greg Taylor looking crestfallen before the ball had even left the Frenchman’s foot with mere minutes left til the break. Rather, the guilt lies with Celtic’s naivety at the back. After watching an inexplicably unmarked Harry Kane (yes the same Harry Kane who 57 goals in 51 Bundesliga appearances) at the back-post head a whipped ball from a corner into the side netting, allowed the striker to find himself without a buddy in the 49th minute. This time Kane would not miss. The second goal seemed a death knell for the hosts. If they were two down at home, it seemed impossible to conceive of a day to turn that around in Munich next week. Yet his was not the Celtic side of that Dortmund defeat, it wasn’t even the same as last week as they continue to evolve and learn with each passing week. Not even the introduction of Kinglsey Coman, Serge Gnabry or World Cup winners Thomas Muller could tuck the Glasgow side away. Down but not out, changes were made and this time it was Bayern who felt the pressure. Dayot Upamecano perhaps fortunate to not give away a penalty after stamping on Arne Engels’ foot in the box, his touch of the ball beforehand his only salvation. ‘Live by the corner, die by the corner’ as the age old adage probably goes. Kompany’s eyes burned seeing Daizen Maeda nick an all important deficit scythe with a point blank header after Yang Hyun-Jun had shanked his shot in the 79th minute. Celtic’s improvement under Rodgers has been gradual, seeped with fragments of information from each game. Maeda however, is on a gradient of his own as his tally for the season is already double his previous best of 11 from 2022-23. It proved no more than a consolation but that characterisation does disservice to its significance. Celtic have shown they are no minnows in the competition whose trophy still has their name etched on. Now, they must travel to the heartland of German football for an even greater test, one without the comforts of home that even Kompany himself could only help but admire how it ‘transcends performance’. This result showed they could sit at the table with the Champions League elite. Next week, we will find out if they take the food right off their plates.

February 13, 2025

Engels says his side have shown they can “match Bayern”

Celtic midfielder Arne Engels says his side have shown they can match Bayern Munich and must believe they can do so again in the away leg of their Champions League tie next Tuesday. “There are a lot of positive points. We just need to keep on believing in ourselves. We’re still in the game and that was the aim. “We have shown we can match Bayern and it’s up to us now to go there and believe we can do something. We don’t need to change a lot. “I think we are improving in every aspect. We can be compact and you saw in the last 20 minutes that we really can hurt them.” Engels thought he might have had the opportunity to score from the penalty spot when he was challenged by Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano. No foul was awarded on the field and, although referee Jesus Gil Manzano was called to the monitor to review his decision, he stuck with his original ruling. “I felt something on my foot and I thought it was a penalty, but I heard from the guys that he slightly touched it with his toe,” Engels said. “I think if the referee needs to go to the screen maybe it would have been a penalty, but it wasn’t. So we had to keep on going.”

February 13, 2025

Celtic defeated by goals on either side of interval but late Maeda effort cuts Bayern’s lead

Undone by goals from Michael Olise and Harry Kane in the 45th and 49th minute, a Daizen Maeda header saw Celtic secure a crucial goal to reduce the deficit ahead of their return leg to Munich. A wonder strike from Olise opened to scoring with half-time fast approaching after Dayot Upamecano sent a long ball that ricocheted off Greg Taylor’s leg providing the winger with the opportunity to meld power with finesse and fire into the top corner. Celtic were dealt what seemed a killer blow mere minutes after play had resumed, as one of Europe’s most lethal goal-scorers, Kane, found himself bewilderingly unmarked at the back post during a Joshua Kimmich corner and rifled home his side’s second. Down but not out, Celtic responded through Maeda to lift the supporters off their feet. A flick-on from a corner had found replacement Yang Hyun-Jun who skewed his effort but fortunately Maeda was quickest to it with a thundering header to bring the score back to one. Brendan Rogers’ side had begun brightly but were denied a goal from Nicolas Kuhn after just thirty seconds by a VAR check that judged Adam Idah to have blocked the vision of Manuel Neuer from an offside position. However it was was the visitors who held the lion’ share of possession and opportunities, Auston Trusty forced to throw his body in the way to prevent Kane from getting a shot away in the first-half. In his usual role of live-wire Jamal Musiala continued to make probing runs and was almost rewarded as his one-two set him up for a good opportunity but was let down by his positioning as Celtic saw the ball to safety. Schmeichel was alert and he needed to be, Kane forced a split second save from the Dane, who had no idea that the striker was offside and the striker came agonisingly close meeting a corner at the back post unmarked to hit the side netting, as Celtic failed to heed the warning. Hunting desperately for a way back into the game, Reo Hatate saw his effort blocked by Kimmich after Arne Engels’ low cross did well to find the forward. Tension ramped up in Celtic Park after referee Jesus Gil Manzano was called to the monitor after Upemecano had stepped on Engels’ foot in the box but it dissipated just as quickly with the official denying the home side a spot kick. Substitute Serge Gnabry saw his low driven shot parried by the legs of Schmeichel as Bayern looked to put the game to bed before the return tie in Munich. Asserting their dominance after extended periods of submission, Alistair Johnston forced Neuer into a strong save with a powerful shot but Vincent Kompany’s men secured the important, albeit diminished lead. Line-ups: Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel, Taylor, Trusty (Schlupp 65), Carter-Vickers, Johnston, Hatate, McGregor (c), Engels, Maeda, Idah (Jota 65), Kuhn (Yang Hyun-Jun 77)Unused subs: Bain, Kenny, McCowan, Murray, Nawrocki, Scales, Sinisalo Goals: Olise (45), Kane (49) Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer (c), Raphael Guerreiro (Ito 78), Dier, Upamecano, Laimer, Goretzka, Kimmich, Sane (Sane 65), Musiala (Muller 87), Olise (Gnabry 65), Kane Unused subs: Boey, Buchmann, Kim Min-Jae, Pavlovic, Stanisic, Ulreich, Urbig, Vidovic Goals: Maeda (79) Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano

February 12, 2025

Celtic Must Stay Alive in the Tie, Says Rodgers, as Bayern Munich Clash Looms

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his side to remain “alive in the tie” as they prepare to host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. With a place in the last 16 at stake, the Scottish champions will welcome the Bundesliga leaders to Glasgow on Wednesday before travelling to Munich next week. A Monumental Challenge for Celtic Bayern Munich arrive at Celtic Park as the dominant force in German football, leading the Bundesliga by eight points and having netted an astonishing 65 goals in 21 league games. However, their European form has been inconsistent, with three defeats in their group stage campaign. Rodgers acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge but remains optimistic about his side’s ability to compete, particularly in front of a passionate Celtic Park crowd. “Bayern Munich are one of the giants of the European game,” Rodgers said. “They really are football royalty in terms of what they’ve achieved over many, many years at this level. For us to be in a position where we can challenge them is a great marker for us.” Bayern’s Firepower and Celtic’s Resilience Celtic will need to be at their very best to contain Bayern’s attacking talents, spearheaded by former Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. The England captain has been in scintillating form, with 28 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season. Alongside him, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and Michael Olise add further dynamism to the attack. Despite Bayern’s wealth of talent, Rodgers remains bullish about his team’s chances. “I know with our game, all our running power and physicality – which is something we’ve really improved on at this level – then anything is possible. What is important for us is that we’re very much alive in the tie going over to Germany,” he added. The Atmosphere Factor at Celtic Park Celtic Park has long been regarded as one of the most intimidating stadiums in European football, and defender Auston Trusty believes the fans could play a crucial role in the first leg. “For me to have this opportunity to be playing Bayern Munich at Celtic Park with the fans and the amazing environment and all that, it’s what dreams are made of,” Trusty said. “We’re at home. There’s no reason to play with fear, there is nothing to lose, we can only gain.” Bayern manager Vincent Kompany is well aware of the challenge posed by a trip to Glasgow. “Anyone that has a deeper understanding of football would understand the home record of Celtic in this competition. It is a fortress. We give it the respect it deserves,” Kompany stated. Team News and Key Players Rodgers has the luxury of a fully-fit squad, with key centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers available. Influential forward Daizen Maeda is also in contention after a successful appeal reduced his two-match ban. Bayern, however, could be without key left-back Alphonso Davies, who is struggling with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Leon Goretzka, however, has returned to action and is expected to play. Historical Edge with Bayern, But Home Hope for Celtic Celtic have never beaten Bayern Munich in their previous four meetings in the Champions League (D1 L3). The German side also boasts a dominant record against Scottish teams, having gone unbeaten in their last 13 encounters (W9 D4), with their last defeat coming against Hearts in 1989. However, Bayern have shown vulnerabilities away from home in Europe, losing three of their four away matches in the Champions League this season. If Celtic can secure a win, it would mark the first time Bayern have lost four away games in a single European campaign. Final Thoughts The challenge for Celtic is significant, but with the home crowd behind them and a fully fit squad, Rodgers’ men have a real opportunity to make a statement. The key will be ensuring they head to Munich next week still in the tie. “We’re not frightened to lose. If we can perform well, as we’ve shown in this competition especially at home, hopefully, we can get what we deserve,” Rodgers concluded. With the stage set and expectations high, Celtic must now prove they belong among Europe’s elite.

February 12, 2025

Celtic’s Champions League Prize Money: A Huge Financial Boost

Celtic have secured a total of €46,683,265 from their participation in the Champions League group stage, providing a significant financial boost to the club. This sum comes from UEFA’s prize money allocation, including participation fees, performance-based earnings, and market share revenue. However, the potential rewards don’t stop there. If Celtic manages to progress beyond either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid, they will receive an additional €11 million, further increasing their earnings from the competition. This injection of funds could play a crucial role in strengthening the squad, improving club infrastructure, and maintaining domestic dominance. While advancing in the tournament will be a challenge, the financial incentives make it a high-stakes opportunity for Celtic. Fans will be hoping that the team can defy the odds and secure even greater success in Europe.

January 30, 2025

Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic: Morgan Rogers sends hosts through to Champions League last 16 while Hoops face play-off

Morgan Rogers’ Hat-Trick Fires Aston Villa into Champions League Last 16 as Celtic Face Play-Off Hurdle Aston Villa secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic at Villa Park, thanks to a sensational hat-trick from Morgan Rogers. The Premier League side surged into an early lead, but Celtic showed resilience before ultimately falling short. While Villa march on, the Hoops must now navigate a play-off to keep their European hopes alive. Rogers’ Rapid Start Stuns Celtic From the opening whistle, Unai Emery’s side wasted no time asserting dominance. Morgan Rogers delivered an electric start, netting twice in the first five minutes to put Villa in control. The 21-year-old forward, who has been a rising star under Emery, capitalised on defensive lapses to leave Celtic shell-shocked. However, Brendan Rodgers’ men refused to buckle under the early onslaught. Adam Idah, leading the line in Kyogo Furuhashi’s absence, spearheaded the visitors’ fightback. The Irish striker struck twice before half-time, stunning the home crowd and restoring parity in a pulsating first half. Watkins Restores Villa’s Lead Amid Penalty Drama Villa responded swiftly after the break, with Ollie Watkins firing the hosts back in front. The England international, fresh off transfer speculation following a rejected bid from Arsenal, showcased his attacking prowess to edge Villa ahead. Watkins had the chance to put the game to bed from the penalty spot but blazed his effort over the bar, offering Celtic a lifeline. Yet, their hopes were dashed when Dane Murray, making his Champions League group stage debut for the Hoops, gifted possession to Watkins. The striker unselfishly squared for Rogers, who coolly slotted home to complete his hat-trick and seal Villa’s place in the knockout stages. What’s Next for Both Sides? With the victory, Aston Villa progress to the last 16, where they will face one of Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, or Club Brugge. The club’s European resurgence under Emery continues, as they now set their sights on making a deep run in the competition. For Celtic, the road to the knockout rounds just got tougher. They must now overcome either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in a high-stakes play-off to extend their Champions League campaign. Despite the setback, their spirited performance at Villa Park showed promise, and Rodgers will be keen to rally his squad for the crucial challenge ahead. Villa fans will celebrate their club’s continued European adventure, while Celtic supporters will anxiously await the play-off draw, knowing their fate hangs in the balance.

January 30, 2025

Celtic Break 12-Year Curse to Reach Champions League Knockouts in Thrilling Glasgow Showdown

The roar of Celtic Park reverberated across Glasgow as Celtic stormed into the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, courtesy of an extraordinary late own goal by Young Boys captain Loris Benito. On a night brimming with tension, drama, and relentless football, the Hoops defied the odds and their frustrations to etch their names in history. This pulsating evening seemed destined to slip away from Brendan Rodgers’ side. Three first-half goals by Kyogo Furuhashi were chalked off in agonising fashion, while Arne Engels spurned a golden opportunity to punish the hosts with a limp penalty miss. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda added to the anxiety, seeing red after a reckless challenge, leaving the home fans biting their nails during a nerve-jangling finale. Yet when Celtic Park needed a hero, fate stepped forward. In the 86th minute, Adam Idah burst through on goal, his strike forcing a fine save from Marvin Keller. But the cruel twist for Young Boys came when the ball ricocheted off Benito and trickled heartbreakingly into his own net. Bedlam ensued, with players and fans erupting in jubilation as Rodgers’ men sealed their passage to the last 16. A First Half of What-Ifs Celtic tore into Young Boys from the first whistle, slicing through the visitors’ high defensive line with ease. Kyogo, electric as ever, had the ball in the net three times, but the celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag and VAR interventions. A foul in the build-up, an offside, and an ill-timed run by Maeda left Celtic cursing their luck. The frustration grew when Engels failed to punish Celtic, his tame penalty saved comfortably by Keller after Greg Taylor was dragged down in the box. The misses mounted for both sides, with Nicolas Kühn and Darian Males squandering opportunities, but Celtic’s defence, marshalled by veteran Kasper Schmeichel, refused to break. Tension Turns to Triumph The second half lacked the frenetic energy of the first, with misplaced passes and scrappy challenges halting any momentum. Yet Celtic’s resilience shone through. Schmeichel rolled back the years with a string of world-class saves to deny Young Boys, keeping the dream alive for the Bhoys. When Maeda’s dismissal left Celtic down to 10 men, the tension inside the stadium was palpable. But just as it seemed the night would end in heartbreak, Idah, much maligned in recent weeks, stepped up. Reo Hatate’s sublime through ball carved open the Young Boys defence, and while Keller denied the striker, Benito’s unlucky touch gifted Celtic the winner. Rodgers’ Redemption As the final whistle blew, Brendan Rodgers’ face told the story of the night—relief, pride, and vindication. “We get that little bit of luck for the goal that we didn’t have in the first half,” Rodgers admitted. “This group has matured so much, and to create a bit of history tonight is incredible for the club and the supporters.” Rodgers knows all too well the heartbreak Celtic fans have endured in Europe, and this victory will feel like redemption. The manager’s tactical nous and Schmeichel’s heroics helped steady the ship, while the energy and creativity of players like Kyogo and Hatate showcased the best of Celtic’s attacking arsenal. Key Stats From a Night to Remember Celtic are now unbeaten in five consecutive Champions League matches, their longest streak in the competition since records began in 2004/05. This win extended Celtic’s unbeaten run at home in all competitions to 30 matches (27 wins, 3 draws). Young Boys’ losing streak in the Champions League now stands at eight games. Celtic’s last benefit from an own goal in the competition was against Manchester City in 2016. Arne Engels’ penalty miss marked Celtic’s first Champions League penalty save at Celtic Park since 2008. What’s Next? For the first time in over a decade, Celtic fans can dream of knockout football. With a game to spare in the group stages, attention now turns to the play-off draw, where Europe’s elite await. In Glasgow, belief is rising. This squad has proved they can overcome adversity and seize the moment. On a night when history was made, Celtic showed they are ready to reclaim their place among Europe’s giants.

January 23, 2025

Stalemate in Zagreb for the Hoops

Dinamo and Celtic settled for a draw in Zagreb, which sees them both stay in the play-off places. Before the match, Dinamo were one point behind Celtic in the table. Both sides knew that victory would give them a strong likelihood of making the play-offs at the end of the European league campaign. The two teams defended well and battled hard in a game that brandished many yellow cards, particularly in the first half. The game lacked clear-cut chances and the draw was a fair result. The home side came into the match with a serious injury crisis and were missing key players. However, their rising star, Martin Baturina, 21, hailed as the next Luka Modric, looked to deliver something special in the middle of the park. The only significant but unsurprising change for the Glasgow visitors was the selection of Paulo Bernardo over their record signing Arne Engels in midfield alongside Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. First half: Celtic started well in the first half, with the home side playing like the away team. The Hoops did well in keeping possession, although they could count themselves lucky not going down to 10 men early on following a dangerous tackle by Greg Taylor. It maybe lacked the intensity and force required to see red but they’ve been given. The visitors’ first chance of the game came from an incisive pass from Kuhn into McGregor on the edge of the area. It led to a free kick after the referee blew for handball when a Zagreb player blocked the captain’s pass. Bernardo took the ball and fired directly over the bar. Maybe it was too close to the goal to get it up and over the tall Zagreb wall. The next big moment of the game came when Nicolas Kuhn had some space on the right, inside the box, delivering a cross that a well-spread keeper, Danijel Zagorac, met and deflected behind for a corner. Following the attack, Sandro Kulenovic fell into Alistair Johnson, fouling him. After some complaints from Marko Rog, the referee decided to put both players into the book. Just before the half concluded, Zagreb capitalised on a Celtic mistake. Kulenovic fired a shot wide of the post after a cross was delivered in. A warning shot to Celtic that they needed to stay focused. Then, it was Celtic’s turn for some last-minute pressure, pushing forward when Maeda delivered a cross into the box for Bernardo, whose first touch let him down. After the play, Hatate managed to get on the ball after a quick Celtic counter-press on the edge of the area, and many fans would have been urging him to shoot, yet he got caught in two minds and played a powerful pass to his right that went to no one. Second half: At the beginning of the second half, Tony Ralston was subbed on for right-back Johnston after he felt the effects of the tackle in the first half. Bernardo won the ball down the right with a sliding tackle that fell into the substitute’s path. Ralston played an early ball down the right to Kuhn who managed to get past his marker inside the box and cut inside onto his left. His curling effort was deflected behind for a corner. The Croatian side was next to apply some pressure following some turnovers, with Celtic losing the ball too easily. Pjaca received the ball onto his right foot, striking at goal, only for Auston Trusty to block the shot. Straight after, Taylor had a major miscue by slicing at the ball, which saw the ball fall to Baturina outside the area. He launched tame strike that Kasper Schmeichel saved comfortably. The game began to open, and now it was Celtic’s turn. Bernardo played a short corner, and after a brief passing exchange, Kuhn slid a ball down the right into Bernardo’s path, who crossed to the front post, where Kyogo struck the ball into the keeper. It rebounded back into Cameron Carter-Vicker’s path, who, leaning back too much, shot high and wide. Next, it was up the other end, with Baturina getting a shot off over the bar. The home side, having started the second half the much stronger of the two sides, gave encouragement for the fans who were now in full voice. Unsurprisingly, Rodgers acted early following this spell of pressure by making two changes in the midfield, with McCowan and Engels coming onto the pitch for Hatate and Bernardo. A few minutes after coming on, McCowan received the ball from a surging run from McGregor in the middle of the park before unleashing a strike on target with Zagorac claiming comfortably. With ten minutes to go, Mbuku slid the ball down the right for the hosts into their right-back Ristovski, who lofted the ball into the box to Pjaca. He headed towards the goal, where a concentrated Schmeichel tipped it over the bar. In the concluding moments, Celtic gained attacking momentum and showed a moment of quality with their last chance of the game. Forrest penetrated the host’s defence with a terrific pass down the left of the box to an onrushing Engels, who whipped a ball across the box to Idah. The Zagreb defender managed to stick out a leg and clear the ball away from the Irishman. What a crucial and excellent interception. The game ended in a draw, which is a fair result, given both teams’ chances. In their remaining European ties, Zagreb have two challenging games against Milan and Arsenal. Celtic know that a result at home to Young Boys will likely secure them qualification to the next stage of the Champions League. Celtic also have a League Cup final to look forward to against their Old Firm rivals, Rangers, at the weekend. Post-match reaction: Auston Trusty on TNTSports: “We’ll take the point, but we came here for three points and I think we’ll be pretty upset in the locker room. “We’ve got two more games to

December 10, 2024

Champions League

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