Bayern Munich may have dominated possession for large parts of their Champions League clash with Celtic in Glasgow, and gained a narrow lead, but a positive outcome from the second leg, while unlikely, is not unrealistic for Brendan Rodger’s side. Here\u2019s four things we learned from Celtic Vs Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
The likelihood is that Vincent Kompany\u2019s Bayern Munich have done enough in the first leg in Glasgow to give them the platform of going through to the next phase of the Champions League. But for Celtic, the positive aspect yet again was that Rodgers’ team looked competitive against top-class opposition and must realise that they belong at this level.<\/p>\n
Questions were rightly asked of the quality that Rodgers had in his squad when his team were embarrassed and humiliated after losing seven goals to last season\u2019s runners-up in the Champions League Borussia Dortmund. But wins over Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig and Young Boys, as well as draws with Atalanta, Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb saw Celtic pick up an impressive twelve points to qualify comfortably for the next stage.<\/p>\n
Read More:<\/strong> \u2018Deal Complete\u2019: Celtic Make Shock Switch Losing \u2018Crucial\u2019 Star<\/a><\/p>\n For seventy minutes of the first leg against Bayern Munich, Celtic were outplayed but defended well, obviously learning from the chastening experience of losing so heavily to Borussia Dortmund last October on Matchday Two. Since then, Celtic have looked very competitive and have learned so much from competing at this level.<\/p>\n Getting a clean sheet in Italy against Atalanta was the catalyst to Celtic believing they could compete with the best. Going two down to Aston Villa so early in the tie at Villa Park could have been another disaster but goals from the \u00a39 million man Adam Idah got them back on level terms before Villa\u2019s quality shone through. The trick now for Rodgers and Celtic is to get back to this level, something that will be more difficult now that automatic qualification for the Champions League for the Scottish champions is no longer guaranteed.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>\u2018I Think Everyone is Agreed \u2019: Brendan Rodgers Confirms Deal for Premier League Player<\/a><\/p>\n Domestic dominance has been a huge part of Celtic\u2019s success over the years and the suspicion was that the club were always keen to do just enough to be one step ahead of Rangers. While Rangers struggle financially, Celtic\u2019s success in the transfer market added to the riches that regular participation in the Champions League brings sets them well apart from the rest of Scottish football.<\/p>\n With thirteen games to go in the Scottish Premiership this season, and Celtic enjoying a thirteen-point lead at the top of the table, yet another domestic title will soon be theirs. To emphasise how dominant Celtic have become in Scottish football, that will be the thirteenth title from the last fourteen available. Success at home, while never easy or taken for granted, should be replaced by the new yardstick for success, being competitive with some of Europe\u2019s elite. The Champions League is full of riches and most of the money goes to the top teams in the top leagues.<\/p>\n If regular European football against some of the giants in England, France, Germany and Spain is the new yardstick for success, then Daizen Maeda showed against Bayern Munich that he can be very effective playing through the middle as the focal point of Celtic\u2019s attack. Celtic\u2019s best spell in the game came when Idah was substituted, and Jota came on just after the hour mark. He played wide and Maeda went through the middle, a position he has taken up before for both club and country.<\/p>\nJust Being Ahead of Rangers No Longer Enough<\/h3>\n
Daizen Maeda Can Play as a Striker in Europe<\/h3>\n