Champions League Archives

Rangers Back on Track after Resounding win over Plzen

Rangers 3-0 Viktoria Plzen Gassama (15′ 51′) Dessers (45′ pen) Rangers took a huge step towards the Champions League Play-off round after a 3-0 victory in the 3rd round 1st leg against Viktoria Plzen. Demanding a response after an opening-day draw against Motherwell, Russell Martin made four changes to his team. He dropped club captain James Tavernier and Nico Raskin to the bench, while bringing in last year’s top goalscorer Cyriel Dessers and new signing Oliver Antman. Martin also rewarded Lyall Cameron with his first European start after singling out the former Dundee midfielder’s efforts off the bench on Saturday. Coming off a thrilling 2-0 comeback win against Swiss side Servette last week, the visitors had the first real chance of the game. Memic found space on the right and delivered a cross, but last week’s hero, Durosinmi, couldn’t direct his shot on target. However, it was Rangers who took the lead with a clever move in the 14th minute. Gassama played a sharp pass to Dessers, who immediately returned it with a delicate through ball. The winger then skillfully curled his shot past Wiegele, netting his third European goal of the campaign. The goal brought Ibrox to life after a quiet start. Despite going behind, the Czech side looked threatening. Memic once again found room on the right, but his drilled pass intended for captain Matej Vydra was well blocked by Djida. Rangers quickly countered, with Lyall Cameron picking out Gassama on the left. The winger’s pass found new signing Oliver Antman, but his shot was blocked right on the line. Manager Russell Martin, who had been critical of his team’s performance on Saturday, would have been delighted with his side’s attacking football. Although Plzen enjoyed a brief spell of pressure, the home side consistently created the better scoring opportunities. Rangers’ good play was rewarded on the stroke of halftime. Gassama released Oliver Antman into the box, and after being fouled, Cyriel Dessers calmly slotted the resulting penalty past the towering 6-foot-9 Wiegele, sending Rangers into the break with a commanding lead. The fulltime whistle on Saturday evening was met with rousing boos from the Rangers faithful; tonight was a stark contrast. The second half began with the home side picking up right where they left off. Cyriel Dessers linked up with Diomande, whose curling left-footed strike from the edge of the box narrowly clipped the top of the crossbar. Just minutes later, Rangers found their third goal with another efficient attack. The electric Oliver Antman burst down the right and delivered a perfect cross for Gassama, who glanced in for his second goal of the night. After the hour mark, Plzen began to show signs of life. Sloncik came close with a shot from the edge of the box, but it sailed just over the bar. Despite the visitors’ late pressure, Rangers maintained control. Standout performances were plentiful for the home side. Both Dessers and Lyall Cameron had exceptional games and were deservedly given a rousing ovation as they were substituted in the 73rd minute. Hoping to replicate their success in Scotland from last year—when they beat Hearts in a Europa League playoff—Viktoria Plzen fought to find a consolation goal. Memic fired a powerful 35-yard shot, but it was straight at Jack Butland. In the final minutes, Sloncik’s whipped free-kick sailed just over the crossbar. As the final whistle blew, a palpable sense of optimism filled Ibrox. This was a clinical and much-improved performance from Russell Martin’s men. They appear well on their way to the Champions League play-off round but will first travel to Czechia next Tuesday for the return leg. Rangers: Butland, Aarons (Barron 74′), Souttar, Djida, Jefte, Rothwell (Raskin 64′), Cameron (Tavernier 74′), Diomande, Antman (Curtis 85′), Gassama Dessers (Danilo 74′) Bookings: Raskin 31’ Jefte 41’ Raskin 64’ Viktoria Plzen: Wiegele, Dweh, Markovic, Jemelka, Memic, Panos (Valenta 46’), Cerv, Ladra (Visinsky 56’), Spacil (Doski 87′), Vydra (Sloncik 57’), Durosinmi (Adu 65’) Bookings: Markovic 19’ Valenta 87′

August 5, 2025

Rangers Survive Onslaught to Reach Champions League 3rd Round Qualifying

Panathinaikos 1 – 1 Rangers Duricic 57’ Gassama 60’ Djeidi Gassama’s thunderous second-half strike secured Rangers’ progression to the next round of Champions League qualifying. Just like the first leg at Ibrox eight days ago, Panathinaikos started the tie extremely brightly. Early efforts from Bakasetas and Ioannidis caused unease before Jack Butland denied Facundo Pellistri in a one-on-one situation. Fotis Ioannidis’ headed attempt capped off an unsettling first 20 minutes for the Ibrox side, perhaps struggling with the searing Greek heat. Joe Rothwell was impressive in the opening leg but was unable to dictate the play quite as well in the early stages. Rangers’ were unchanged from their first leg triumph but their new possession approach nearly cost them on several occasions. A defensive lapse between Djiga and Tavernier left Facundo Pellistri with space in the box, but he blazed it high – a significant let-off for Russell Martin’s men. The away side rarely threatened but Findlay Curtis’s pace was key in relieving pressure and stretching the game. Nicolas Raskin went closest in the first period, heading over from a Rothwell corner. Ultimately, there is still plenty of work to do for Russell Martin and his staff in what was a nervy opening 45. Despite a disjointed first-half performance, the visitors miraculously maintained their two-goal lead heading into the interval. A hugely frustrating first half for Panathinaikos, who’s fans were displeased as the halftime whistle blew. Even with complete domination, no inroads were made to the two-goal deficit. Panathinaikos started the second half on the front foot and found the net within five minutes. A swinging cross from Bakasetas bypassed the entire Rangers defence, allowing Filip Djuricic to beat the offside trap and head past Jack Butland. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal was confirmed, sending the home support into raptures. After 153 minutes of relentless pressure, Panathinaikos finally had their breakthrough in the tie. However, their celebrations were short-lived. Following a rare foray into the Panathinaikos penalty area, Danilo’s deflected shot fell kindly to substitute Djeidi Gassama, who brilliantly smashed home off the post. The goal was the former Sheffield Wednesday man’s second of the tie, quickly cementing his status as a fan favourite on the blue side of Glasgow. Despite all their pressure, the home side found themselves back to square one and two goals behind. They quickly regrouped, and substitute Tete delivered a teasing left-footed cross that narrowly evaded the outstretched legs of Ioannidis. Minutes later, Tete again looked sharp, winning a free-kick in a dangerous area, though the resulting set piece failed to trouble Jack Butland. As the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, Panathinaikos began to lose their rhythm. With over 30 shots on goal across both legs, Rui Vitoria’s side will undoubtedly rue their missed opportunities. Cyriel Dessers even had a golden chance to seal the tie in injury time, but after being slid through one-on-one, he couldn’t convert his first goal of the season. The victory for Rangers sets up a clash with either Viktoria Plzen of Czechia or Servette of Switzerland. The first leg will be played at Ibrox on August 5th Panathinaikos: (4-2-3-1) – Dragowski, Kotsiras (Gnezda Čerin 67’), Palmer-Brown (T. Jedvaj 77’), Touba, Kyriakopoulos, Chirivella, Maksimovic, Pellistri, Bakasetas (Tetê 67’), Djuricic (K. Świderski 77’), Ioannidis (Jeremejeff 84’) Bookings: T. Bakasetas 61’ Rangers: (4-3-3) – Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Aarons, Diomande, Raskin, Rothwell (Bajrami 82’), Dowell (Jefté 74’), Curtis (Gassama 57’) , Danilo (Dessers 82’) Bookings: Kieron Dowell (45+3) Gassama 61’

July 30, 2025

What did we learn from Russell Martin’s debut as Rangers boss?

New Rangers boss Russell Martin won his first competitive in charge as Rangers defeated Panathinaikos but what did we learn from Martin’s debut at Ibrox? On paper a 2-0 victory at home with a clean sheet is impressive but there was moments in the game where the Light Blues rode their luck as Jack Butland was called into action making some pivotal saves. Martin set up in a 4-3-3 system and four of his seven summer signings featured the game, which were Joe Rothwell Nasser Djiga, Max Aarons, and Djeidi Gassama. It was a special moment for Findlay Curtis as he scored his first ever professional goal, which saw the Ibrox side kick on in the second half. Rothwell had a solid performance as he was calm and composed on the ball, and Gassama had a dream start scoring a lovely strike from outside the box after only being on the pitch for a handful of minutes. It was obvious that the players are still getting used to Martin’s system, and he will need time for it to work. There was flashes of how effective The Englishman’s style of play can be with one moment being the counter attacking phase and build up for Gassama’s finish. Aaron’s struggled at moments whilst playing in the left-back position with some misplaced passes and getting caught down his left-hand side. In terms of the goalkeeping situation, it appears Martin will be going with Butland as his number one choice for the time being, as the former England international will be looking to build on his display against the Greek outfit. Martin said before the Champions League qualifier that it won’t be a quick fix and pleaded with the Ibrox faithful to have patience with his philosophy and there will be some bumps along the road. Overall, it was a dream start for Martin at Ibrox in terms of getting an all important win and the Govan club are in a positive situation as they travel to Greece for the second leg.

July 24, 2025

European Adventures Begin for Scottish Trio

Rangers, Hibernian, and Dundee United kick off their European qualification campaigns this week. Rangers welcome Panathinaikos to Ibrox, Hibernian travel to Denmark to face FC Midtjylland, and United host Luxembourg’s UNA Strassen. Greek Test in Martin’s First Competitive Match Russell Martin’s appointment has split the Rangers fanbase, some welcome his free-flowing style whilst others question his pedigree in taking the Ibrox’s top job. Tuesday’s match against Greek side Panathinaikos promises to be a baptism of fire for the former Southampton manager. Panathinaikos mirrored Rangers’ domestic performance last season, securing a second-place finish. Their recent European adventures saw them participate in the UEFA Conference League, where they finished 13th in the group stage before a pulsating Round of 16 clash that saw them narrowly lose 5-4 on aggregate to Fiorentina. For the Ibrox faithful, this encounter with Panathinaikos may stir fond memories. Their last meeting, in the 2008 UEFA Cup, saw Nacho Novo net an 81st-minute equaliser to send Rangers through on away goals. This tie was pivotal in Rangers’ memorable run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, ultimately ending in a 2-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester. Victory for Rangers would promote them to the third round of Champions League qualification, where they will meet Czech side Viktoria Plzen or Switzerland’s Servette. Defeat for Martin’s side would present a challenging draw against Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League third qualifying round. Danish Giants Await Gray’s Hibernian David Gray was the interim manager for Hibs’ last European match – a Conference League clash against Aston Villa. This season, they face another stern test against Danish giants FC Midtjylland. FC Midtjylland narrowly missed out on their domestic title, finishing one point adrift of champions FC Copenhagen. Their prior visits to Scotland have yielded mixed results: a 7-3 aggregate defeat to Rangers in the Europa League qualifiers and a 3-2 aggregate victory over Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers. The first leg is scheduled for July 24th in Denmark, with the decisive second leg taking place in Leith on July 31st. Victory of Midtjylland would present another Scandinavian challenge for Hibs, taking on Norway’s Fredrikstad in the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round. Defeat would relegate them to the UEFA Conference League 3rd Round, where they would face Ukraine’s FC Oleksandriya or Serbia’s FK Partizan. European Reward for Jim Goodwin’s Men Following an impressive 4th place finish on their return to the Scottish Premiership, Dundee United’s season preparations are in full swing. Draws with Arbroath, St Johnstone, and Oldham, with a trip to the Netherlands in between, they welcome Luxembourg’s UNA Strassen on Thursday evening. Their UEFA Conference League 2nd round qualifier is the Arabs’ first continental outing since their memorable (albeit forgettable) 7-1 aggregate defeat to AZ Alkmaar in 2022. Victory over Strassen will pit Goodwin’s team against Decic of Montenegro or Rapid Vienna of Austria.

July 22, 2025

Away Day in Munich: Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Champions League Final at Allianz Arena

The 2025 Champions League Final is set to take place at Munich’s iconic Allianz Arena, home to FC Bayern Munich and a modern marvel of European football. This guide covers everything you need to know about experiencing an away day in Munich—from where to eat, drink, and stay to the cultural highlights, how to get around, and tips for making the most of this special event. Getting to Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena sits on the northern edge of Munich, about 10 km from the city centre, and is well connected by Munich’s efficient public transport. – By U-Bahn (Metro): Take Line U6 towards *Garching-Forschungszentrum*, getting off at *Fröttmaning*. From there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium entrance. – By Car: The Allianz Arena has its own parking spaces, but be aware that on game days, the area can get extremely crowded, so public transport is usually the better option. – By Bike: Munich is a bike-friendly city with dedicated lanes, and there’s bike parking at the stadium. This can be a fun way to arrive if the weather’s good! Where to Stay With thousands of fans flocking to Munich for the final, hotels are likely to fill up fast, so book early! Here are a few suggestions for all types of travellers: – Hotel Bayerischer Hof – This luxurious hotel in central Munich offers top-class amenities and is known for its rooftop bar with city views. Ideal for those looking to make the most of their stay. – Holiday Inn Munich – City Centre – A comfortable, mid-range option just a short metro ride from Allianz Arena and close to central attractions. – Meininger Hotel Munich City Center – A budget-friendly, hostel-style option that’s popular with travellers. It’s near Munich’s main train station, with easy access to U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines. Where to Eat Munich is known for hearty Bavarian cuisine and beer gardens, so take some time to sample the local flavours: – Hofbräuhaus – This historic beer hall is an absolute must for first-time visitors. Enjoy Bavarian dishes like Weißwurst (white sausage), pretzels, and a cold stein of Munich’s finest beer. – Augustiner-Keller – One of the oldest beer gardens in Munich, Augustiner-Keller is perfect for an outdoor meal, with classic Bavarian food and a lively atmosphere. – Viktualienmarkt – Located near Marienplatz, this famous open-air market is ideal for a quick pre-match snack. Try local treats like leberkäse (Bavarian meatloaf) and freshly made juices or pastries. Food Costs: Expect to pay around €15-€25 for a meal at traditional spots and beer gardens. Higher-end restaurants range from €40-€60 per person, depending on what you order. Where to Drink Munich is practically the world capital of beer, so whether you’re a fan of lagers, pilsners, or traditional Bavarian brews, you’re in for a treat: – Paulaner Bräuhaus – A traditional brewery offering both beer and hearty Bavarian food. A good spot for groups looking to meet fellow fans. – Giesinger Bräu – For craft beer lovers, this brewery offers a great selection beyond the usual German lagers, with a cosy atmosphere and friendly service. – Die Goldene Bar – Located in the Haus der Kunst museum, this chic bar is perfect for fans looking for a more sophisticated vibe pre- or post-match. Cost of Drinks: Beer typically ranges from €4-€6 for a half-litre. For a night out, budgeting €20-€30 should cover a couple of rounds. What to Do Before the Match Munich is packed with cultural sites and activities, so here are a few must-dos to add to your trip: – Marienplatz & Glockenspiel – The heart of Munich’s historic centre, Marienplatz is where you’ll find the famous Glockenspiel. Stop here for a photo, then explore the surrounding shops and cafes. – English Garden – If you have time, take a stroll through the English Garden, one of Europe’s largest city parks. The beer gardens here are scenic and ideal for pre-match relaxation. – Deutsches Museum – For fans of history and technology, the Deutsches Museum is a fascinating stop with exhibits covering aviation, engineering, and more. What to Expect at Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena is famed for its distinctive, colour-changing exterior, which lights up in the home team’s colours on match days. For the Champions League Final, expect a sea of blue lights and an electric atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium. – Before Kickoff: Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere. There will likely be fan zones set up near the stadium entrance with live music, merchandise stands, and food stalls. – Inside the Stadium: Allianz Arena’s design allows for superb views from all seats, so you won’t miss a moment. Bayern Munich fans are known for their passionate yet welcoming spirit, so expect plenty of chants, especially during the Champions League anthem. – Fan Etiquette: German fans are passionate but respectful. If you’re supporting a visiting team, join in the fun but be mindful not to interrupt any chants or ceremonies. Budget Tips for a One-Day or Weekend Trip Munich isn’t the cheapest city in Germany, but with a bit of planning, you can enjoy an incredible football trip on a budget. One-Day Budget (€100-€150) – Meals – €30-€40 for a traditional Bavarian lunch or dinner and some street food – Transport – €8 for an all-day Munich travel pass (valid on U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams) – Stadium Ticket – €70-€150 depending on seating for the Champions League Final – Drinks – €20 for a couple of beers or a drink at a local bar Weekend Budget (€300-€400) – Accommodation – €80-€150 per night for a mid-range hotel (book early for Champions League rates) – Meals – €60-€100 for traditional dining and beer garden visits – Cultural Activities – €30-€40 for museum or attraction tickets – Transport – €20 for a weekend Munich travel pass Dos and Don’ts in Munich DO: – Take time to try local delicacies like brezen (pretzels), bratwurst, and apfelstrudel. – Respect the local culture in

May 2, 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. Teams: D. Zagreb: Zagorac, Bernauer, Kacavenda, Baturina (Hoxha, 83′), Kulenovic, Pierre-Gabriel, Pjaca (Stojkovic, 83′), Ristovski, Theophile-Catherine, Rog, Spikic (Mbuku, 73′). Subs: Filipovic, Nevistic, Torrente, Cordoba, Bakovic, Zebic, Cutuk, Pavic, Jakirovic Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston (Ralston,

December 10, 2024

Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic: What to expect?

Celtic have the opportunity to make to a push for the automatic places when they travel to a troubled Dinamo Zagreb this evening, the first meeting since the sides met in the group stages ten years ago. The Glasgow side recovered well from their 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Dortmund to earn themselves five points against some strong opposition in Atalanta, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge, taking their total tally to eight. Sitting only two points off the top eight, Brendan Rodgers will know that a win in a Croatia will at least give the side a much needed buffer for the play-off spot. Hosts Dinamo Zagreb find themselves in a similar predicament, sat just one point behind Celtic in the standings. The club which has been graced by the likes of Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovavic and once Celtic goalscoring machine Mark Viduka, will likely see this fixture as their best chance at three points before facing Arsenal and AC Milan. Celtic will hope for a more positive result than their last visit to Zagreb in 2014 when Marko Pjaca, who is expected to feature tonight, grabbed a hat-trick on route to a 4-3 victory for the Croatians. No home comforts for Celtic Be it in the East End or on the road, Celtic have steamrolled their way to the top of the table and look set to retain the title before the New Year. Europe however, is a different kettle of fish and the stats don’t paint a promising picture ahead of tonight’s clash. Winless away from home, Celtic have missed the impact the atmosphere has on shrinking opponents but their own style of play too. Possession at home in their European campaign is an impressive 61% but drops to 41% away from Glasgow. Meanwhile their xG for goes from 1.65 to 0.8 whilst xG again rises from 0.94 to 2.53. It is hardly a new problem for Celtic, who managed just one win in six games from their two previous group stages. Like the constantly flashing symbols on my car’s dashboard, statistics don’t always tell the whole truth, but they do offer a warning that should be heeded for those who want to ensure safety on the road. Out of sorts but not out yet It has not been plain sailing for the Croatian’s this season. Despite capturing the last seven league titles, Dinamo sit third in the league with just one win from their last seven games. Worse still, they suffered a humiliating 9-2 defeat at the hands of Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich in their opening game of the group stage. However bouncing back to earn a draw with Monaco before grabbing six points away to RB Salzburg and Slovan Bratislava shows they are no slouches. Conversely to Celtic, their struggles have been for the most part at home this season, having not won a game at the Stadio Maksimir since September. Celtic will know themselves from the Dortmund fallout, underestimate teams in this competition at your peril.

December 10, 2024

Celtic welcome giant killers Brugge in Champions League tie

Champions League: Celtic v Club Brugge Belgian side Club Brugge travel to Glasgow take on a Celtic team in red hot form. The hosts remain kings of Scotland, yet to a lose a game domestically and swatting closest rivals Aberdeen 6-0 in the League Cup. More impressive yet, is their marked improvement on the continental stage. Dominating an RB Leipzig side packed with some Europe’s most sought after talent was the statement win Brendan Rodgers’ had been asking for following their setback in Dortmund. Brugge similarly suffered at the hands of last year’s finalists before taking six points from a possible nine, including an impressive victory over Aston Villa. Sitting second in the Belgian Pro League, they are not quite steamrolling opposition in the same way Celtic have but a 7-0 win against Sint-Truiden at the weekend was perfect preparation for game sure to be see plenty of goals. Hosts must capitalise on home form By the reaction of the Leipzig players at full-time, it looked as though they couldn’t wait to get the first flight out of Glasgow. A sentiment no doubt shared by Slovan who were thumped 5-1 in their opening game of the campaign at Celtic Park. Always a step ahead of their opponents with quick combinations and looking as though they would not be troubled by adding an extra half hour onto the game, Nicolas Kuhn was the picked of the bunch as Celtic played the kind of football Rodgers’ knew was possible following their thumping in Dortmund. The manager will want to show that there is much more to come from his side both home and away. With only one point on the road so far as trips to Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa await, the East End side will need to take full advantage of home crowd if they are to give themselves every chance of progressing. Despite only one loss in four Celtic remain caught between two poles. Sitting only three points above the bottom tier isn’t much of a buffer, whilst a three goal margin could propel them into the automatic places. There are no easy games in the Champions League but perform tonight and the club could be on track to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2013. Visitors no shrinking violets The hosts received a fair amount of acclaim for their Leipzig scalp but Club Brugge have an arguably more impressive one of their own after muzzling Aston Villa in a 1-0 victory. Tyrone Mings’ calamity stole headlines but the Belgians kept one the Premier League’s best sides goalless in a performance that deserved more than being a mere sideshow in the post-match analysis. Doing so with a squad in constant flux is not mean feat either. Brugge are side packed with young technical talent, the likes Hugo Vetlesen and Christos Tzolis sure to find a home among Europe’s elite soon. The developing crop are supported by veterans Simon Mignolet and a name familiar to Celtic fans in Dedryck Boyata, who spent four seasons at the club. Granted, they are missing the goalscoring threat of Igor Thiago, whose £30 million move to Brentford left big boots to fill but Tzolis’ four goals against Sint-Truden at the weekend makes him a fairly promising contender. With Sporting CP, Juventus and Manchester City still to come, Brugge will see tonight as their best opportunity to add one more scalp to their collection.

November 27, 2024

Champions League