Being competitive and disinclined against Bayern

History makers on Saturday but Brendan Rodgers and his players will have nothing but tomorrow’s game against Bayern Munich on their minds today. In truth, the 100-year-old 62 game unbeaten run achieved by Willie Maley’s team looked like it was equalled despite minds being focussed on Champions League duty.

While there was no shame in losing 3-0 in Munich two weeks ago, Celtic were poor. It was not until Bayern achieved their objectives Celtic players looked less intimidated. We were unpicked repeatedly in defence while we retreated under the merest pressing from Bayern.

A win tomorrow is not beyond Celtic, but win or lose, we have to learn how to compete against teams of this level. We have endured harsh lessons against Barcelona and PSG over the last 13 months. Progress would not necessarily mean repeating the kind of remarkable 2-1 victory we got over Barcelona five years ago, being competitive in the game and defending with discipline would be a start.

BRENDAN RODGERS – The Road to Paradise is available now from CQNBookstore.com and for the first 100 sold on the bookstore we will include a free gift.

Available now at CQN bookstore.com