IT BEGAN with a goal from Nicolas Kuhn being chalked off in 25 seconds of the first leg at Parkhead last week.
It concluded with a ricochet from Alphonso Davies cannoning into the Celtic net in the fading moments of stoppage-time in the Allianz Arena last night.
Celtic’s Champions League adventure is over following scowls from the wretched and merciless Dame Fortune.
Fine margins, my friend, between success and failure in this wonderful game. And especially at elitist level.
The Bavarian giants won through 3-2 on aggregate to the lucrative knock-out stages, but I doubt if they’ll get a tougher 90-plus minutes than they experienced on this occasion when it was so gratifying to witness a Celtic team performing without fear.
It does my old heart proud to see our team play in such a praiseworthy manner at this exalted and elevated status.
THE BEGINNING…Nicolas Kuhn (extreme right) sees his shot fly past Adam Idah, in an offside position, on its way into the Bayern Munich net after 25 seconds of the first leg at Parkhead.
THE END…Kasper Schmeichel and Cameron Carter-Vickers are grounded as the ball hits off Alphonso Davies for the German club’s stoppage-time winner in the Allianz Arena.
With a bit more composure and care, Callum McGregor, Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda could have all planted the ball behind Manuel Neuer before the hosts had a clue what hit them.
Mixing adventure with caution – and no sign of gung-ho tactics that have provided a painful backfire in the past – Kuhn did get the breakthrough goal and the Germans were clearly rattled at that stage.
There was genuine belief Brendan Rodgers’ gallant players could be on the verge of a very special evening at the home of one of Europe’s super powers.
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Painful and agonising don’t come close.
In the space of 141 days, Celtic have responded to the dreadful drubbing in Dortmund to play four away European ties and draw three against Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and now Bayern Munich.
There has been one loss, the mystifyingly awful display against Aston Villa.
Other than that woeful showing in the Midlands, Rodgers and his players have proved they have matured very quickly and deserve to take their place at Europe’s top table.
I thought the step up to play the team racing away with the Bundesliga title would have been too much for Celtic. I take no satisfaction in being proved right.
JUBILANT…Daizen Maeda congratulates scorer Nicolas Kuhn as Jeffrey Schlupp and Adam Idah prepare to join in as the Bayern Munich fans fall silent in the Allianz Arena.
Trust me, I would have been much more elated today to be offering an apology to all at Celtic Park. I have to say I did not dismiss them out of hand. I did not envisage another x-certificate, error-strewn replay of the Westfalenstadion presentation in October.
I reckoned a victory over two legs would be beyond Rodgers’ men. What I couldn’t have forecast was the sort of awesome exhibition you and I witnessed last night.
Celtic may be on the outside looking in as the draw is made tomorrow and, with a certain amount of justification, they may be wondering ‘what if’.
It will be a long time before the true grit, raw courage and sheer bravery of McGregor and Co will be forgotten.
We’ll be back next season. And we will be better prepared.
This could be the start of something wonderful.
PS: I have two quick suggestions for the Parkhead powers-that-be, if I may?
ONE: Get Jeffrey Schlupp, out of contract at Crystal Palace at the end of June, signed up pronto.
TWO: Bin that horrible camouflage strip!
ALEX GORDON
