HAVE a swift browse at these results, dear reader: Aston Villa 1, Bayern Munich 0; Barcelona 4 Bayern Munich 1; Feyenoord 3 Bayern Munich 0.
Three defeats from the Bundesliga giants’ eight outings in the new-look Champions League format to reach the first leg of the play-off stage against Celtic at Parkhead this evening.
Even after summoning up every ounce of optimism in my entire being, I have already conceded I just cannot envisage Brendan Rodgers’ men getting through to the knock-out stages of Europe’s most prestigious competition once the smoke clears on the next three hours plus of action in the current adventure among the elite.
EAR, EAR…a pensive Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers as he talks to the media before the latest outing in the Euro journey.
However, I believe you must strive to seek positives and extract encouragement wherever you can find it.
Those three reverses in Harry Kane and Co’s four games on their travels in this crusade certainly offer a semblance of enthusiasm for anyone of a Celtic persuasion.
It’s also worth noting that the fourth match in the rearranged league set-up was also played on home soil, the 5-1 win over Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk which took place at FC Schalke’s ground in Gelsenkirchen.
So, dare we hope with any reasonable iota of expectation for another bout of travel sickness for the Germans under the lights in the east end of Glasgow tonight?
Maybe Mission Impossible is morphing into merely Mission Improbable.
Fingers crossed.
Enjoy the game, folks!
ALEX GORDON
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Bayern Munich at Parkhead this evening – only in your champion CQN.
COMMENT: FLARE FOR THE BIG OCCASION? STAY AWAY
