No white flags or towel throwing in Leipzig

I remember going to Ibrox when news filtered through that we were so under-strength, left back-come-central defender, Charlie Mulgrew, was playing left mid.  The portents were ominous but Charlie and the rest of the team did well in adversity.  A similar attitude will be needed tonight as we will be without Scott Brown, Tom Rogic, Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest, the latter’s pace being a significant loss.

Leipzig are fifth in the Bundesliga, a point behind Bayern Munich and on a run of form which has seen them win four and draw two since their Europa League defeat to Salzburg, scoring 14 for the concession of three in the process.  It is likely they are stronger than Celtic, but they are not as good as Salzburg, or the Bayern Munich team we faced a year ago.

You and I have seen this movie dozens of times but the outcome is not inevitable.  We have also seen St Mirren and Kilmarnock take points of a vastly stronger Celtic this season, while Hamilton came close.  Celtic can get something from tonight if they can defend as well as others in the SPFL do against us.

No white flags or towel throwing, let’s see if we can defend maturely.