Ewan Murray's match report
Plenty of positives for Celtic – far from being outclassed, they arguably created the better chances and Callum McGregor’s equaliser should have set up a thrilling finish. That’s where the negative comes in. Bayern were allowed to regain the lead almost immediately, with the defence at fault for that goal and Kingsley Coman’s opener. Tonight should at least inspire them for the springtime Europa League campaign that now looks to be nailed on. Thanks for joining me, we’ll have a report up shortly. Bye!
Full time: Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich
A valiant effort from Celtic, and a match that was much closer than many expected, but it ends in defeat. Bayern, and indeed PSG, are through to the last 16, and Celtic are out.
96 mins: ...Tierney fouls Kimmich in a vain attempt to get the ball back, and that will be all.
95 mins: Coman runs at a tired Celtic defence, then just keeps going, and carries the ball out of play. Celtic will have one more chance...
94 mins: Celtic appeal for a corner as Rafinha tackles Dembele, but the referee awards a goal kick – correctly, as it turns out.
93 mins: Thiago comes on to replace Arjen Robben for Bayern.
92 mins: Celtic work the ball around, looking for a gap in the red wall in front of them. Bitton plays a pass to Dembele, who lays it off to Rogic, who gives it away.
90 mins: Six added minutes. Celtic need a goal, or they’ll be out of the Champions League.
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89 mins: We’re heading towards stoppage time, with Bayern now keeping everyone behind the ball. There should be a fair chunk of it after Martinez and Bitton’s injuries.
86 mins: Forrest does well again to win a free kick under pressure, close to his own penalty area. Celtic need to get up the other end though, and soon.
84 mins: Celtic are doing their best to rebound from that almighty gut punch. In Paris, PSG are 5-0 up, and their left-back, Layvin Kurzawa, has a hat-trick.
82 mins: Joshua Kimmich comes on for Tolisso, who did not look like Bayern Munich’s record signing.
81 mins: Kieran Tierney whips in another dangerous cross, but Bayern clear and Boyata has to race across to stop Coman from breaking away.
79 mins: A lengthy delay as Martinez and Bitton both need treatment for a clash of heads. Leigh Griffiths has come on for Celtic, replacing Stuart Armstrong.
Bayern kept their composure with Celtic Park rocking, stroking the ball around with intent. David Alaba picked it up on the right and swung in a cross which Javi Martinez met, climbing above Bitton, to head into the far corner. Celtic Park rocks no more.
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GOAL! Celtic 1-2 Bayern Munich (Martinez 77')
Oh, Celtic. Javi Martinez puts Bayern back in front!
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Well, then. Celtic are deservedly level – now are they prepared to go for broke?
Get tae... (73') #CELFCB 1-1
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) October 31, 2017
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GOAL! Celtic 1-1 Bayern Munich (McGregor 74')
Forrest cuts infield, bides his time and plays an inch-perfect through ball that befuddles two Bayern defenders. Callum McGregor races onto it and drills the ball beneath Ulreich! Celtic Park erupts!
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72 mins: Celtic are turning up the heat, Tierney powering a cross to Forrest, who lifts it first time back across goal. Dembele, who has been kept out of this second half, can’t get to it.
71 mins: James Forrest, Celtic’s best player tonight, fires a snap shot at goal that’s deflected behind, much to Ulreich’s relief. Armstrong’s corner drifts out of play, which is frankly unforgivable at this point.
69 mins: Bayern have found things much easier in the second half than the first. Just over 20 minutes for Celtic to get something out of this.
68 mins: ...Bayern keep possession and Rudy picks a hole in the Celtic defence to find Rodriguez. He twists away from his marker before firing on goal – but Gordon makes an excellent save with his feet!
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66 mins: Celtic have Robben and Rafinha marshalled on the right, before Tierney’s clumsy foul on the latter gives Bayern a free kick. Robben sends the ball backwards, ignoring the ever-present urge to barrel straight down the wing...
65 mins: McGregor finds a pocket of space and tries to slip a pass through to Dembele, who is just offside!
Crikey. It’s Roma 3-0 Chelsea.
62 mins: Dembele is slow to react to Tierney’s pass from the left flank and Bayern break. Rudy plays a diagonal ball to Rodriguez, but Boyata is again in the right place to cut out his cross. Rogic comes on for Scott Sinclair.
60 mins: Bitton does well to take the ball from Rodriguez, but spoils things by giving it straight to Robben. Bayern are happy to stroke the ball around midfield, as Rodgers tells Tom Rogic to get warmed up.
58 mins: Rafinha scoots upfield and cuts a dangerous ball back into the area, but Boyata is on hand to clear. Sebastian Rudy comes on for the disappointing Vidal.
57 mins: A scrappy spell in midfield as Heynckes gets ready to make his first change. PSG are 3-0 up against Anderlecht.
54 mins: Bayern looking more threatening now, but Alaba’s deflected shot is collected by Craig Gordon.
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52 mins: Boateng’s long ball drifts beyond the Celtic defence and Vidal gets a boot to it before Gordon – but he’s a fraction offside.
51 mins: Boyata dispatches the ball to Row Z after Scott Brown gives it away on the edge of his area.
50 mins: Bayern burst forward but Tolisso’s shot from 25 yards out is always rolling wide of the far post. Jupp Heynckes looks unimpressed.
49 mins: Armstrong coaxes a foul out of Boateng with a nice piece of close control, and Celtic have a free kick – central, but more than 30 yards out. Nir Bitton’s effort is on target but lacks the required power to beat Ulreich.
48 mins: Celtic wait patiently before Brown finds Forrest, who again ignites an attacking move from the right. He picks out Armstrong on the edge of the area, and his quick half-volley forces Ulreich to turn the ball behind!
47 mins: While remaining a steadfast beacon of impartiality, I’d like to see a Celtic goal. The lid would absolutely come off this place. The hosts start on the front foot, but Bayern sit deep and stall their momentum.
We go again
Celtic get the second half under way.
Elsewhere in Europe, it’s Basel 1-0 CSKA Moscow, Manchester United 1-0 Benfica, Roma 2-0 Chelsea, Atlético 0-1 Qarabag(!), Sporting 1-0 Juventus and Olympiacos 0-0 Barcelona.
Neymar has put PSG 2-0 up against Anderlecht, so as it stands, Celtic are going out of the Champions League. They’re still on track to finish third which, as Brendan will tell you, is the real quiz.
Half time: Celtic 0-1 Bayern Munich
And so ends a first half played at a furious pace, with Celtic matching their opponents, creating a couple of very good chances to score, but going behind to a route one goal with a hint of handball as their defence switched off. More soon!
43 mins: ...Bayern break, but Rodriguez’s cross to Robben is badly overhit. The Dutchman chases it down and the ball is worked to Coman, whose acrobatic scissor kick zips over Gordon’s crossbar.
42 mins: Celtic win a free kick close to the right flank which Armstrong whips in low. It lands at Lustig’s feet, but his shot from 12 yards is blocked...
39 mins: Armstrong, in space in midfield, tries a panicked left-footed shot instead of picking out Tierney, who had burst forward. He wins a corner, which Boateng nods behind. Another corner, which comes to nothing.
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37 mins: Celtic continue to show plenty of poise and patience in midfield, but Sinclair’s heavy touch lets him down with the chance to take on the visiting defence.
35 mins: Dembele is isolated in the Bayern half but does the necessary to win a free kick. After the ball swirls around the Bayern penalty area it’s collected by Forrest, whose cross finds Dembele – but his far-post downward header is off target.
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33 mins: Scott Brown tries to patiently build up play, only for Stuart Armstrong to oafishly concede possession with an underhit pass. Robben threads the ball to Coman at the byline, but Nir Bitton is on hand to intercept well at the near post.
31 mins: The corner is cleared but returned with interest by Tierney, whose left-footed cross from deep on the right just floats beyond Boyata and Bitton. Celtic have had chances.
30 mins: A fantastic attacking move from Celtic, as Tierney picks out Armstrong, who plays a one-two with Dembele and scampers into space on the left-hand side of the area. Instead of shooting from a narrow angle, he rolls a disguised ball back to Dembele that outwits Ulreich. Only David Alaba denies them an equaliser, sliding in at the last moment to clear!
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28 mins: Celtic still look deflated, and are struggling to get on the ball in midfield. Elsewhere in the group, PSG have just taken the lead against Anderlecht, care of Marco Verratti.
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26 mins: Scott Brown faffs around in midfield and is robbed by Vidal – but gets back well to tackle the Chilean, who handles the ball on the floor.
Brendan won’t like that. After such a promising start, the goal came from a long punt forward from Ulreich. Boyata failed to clear it, so Gordon opted to charge off his line. Coman got there first, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball past a sliding Boyata to add to the farcical vibe. Gordon appealed for a handball, with the ball appearing to strike Coman’s elbow as he took on the keeper.
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GOAL! Celtic 0-1 Bayern Munich (Coman 22')
...and one they don’t heed, as Coman pounces on a defensive disaster to put Bayern ahead.
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20 mins: Coman’s control lets him down again, as he fails to trap David Alaba’s cross with Celtic caught cold at the back. That’s a warning for the hosts...
19 mins: Coman throws up a hand of thanks after failing to control Vidal’s clever crossfield ball. It’s not quite clicking for Bayern going forward so far, but there’s a very, very long way to go.
17 mins: David Alaba punts a dreadful effort over the bar from 30 yards out.
15 mins: Another half-chance for the hosts, as Dembele takes on Boateng down the left, darting past the centre-back but miscuing his shot from a tight angle.
14 mins: ...but moments later he cuts inside and charges into open space, exchanges passes with McGregor and crosses from the right. Bayern clear away, but that’s another opening carved out by Forrest.
12 mins: Forrest, who is playing as a wing-back out on the right, tussles with Tolisso in midfield, the Bayern midfielder winning the battle...
10 mins: Javi Martinez swings gamely at fresh air from 25 yards, and is then penalised for pulling back Scott Brown. Celtic are playing three at the back – Lustig, Boyata and Bitton – and looking reasonably comfortable so far.
“I am voting for Justin Jackson of Rushden and Diamonds for best Manx footballer,” offers David Gilbert. “He was a prolific lower league scorer and subject of a record transfer fee between non league clubs in 2000.
“Technically he was born in Nottingham but grew up on the island and played his youth football there before being picked up by Bolton. And I played with him, representing our country at youth level. Don’t get too excited... that country was the Isle of Man.”
Capped at youth level by the Isle of Man? We may have found our finest footballing reader.
6 mins: Celtic have made a strong start here, and are moving the ball nicely around midfield as Bayern sit back.
4 mins: Good grief – Stuart Armstrong has missed a sitter! Boyata heads a Bayern corner clear and Tierney plays a raking long ball down the right. Forrest lifts a cross to the far post that Rafinha misses, but Armstrong, four yards out, can’t sort his feet out and the ball trickles wide.
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Roma are 1-0 up already at home to Chelsea – check in with Barry Glendenning:
1 min: Vidal, who seems to be in the No10 position, flanked by Coman and Robben, smacks an early speculator high and wide.
We're off!
Bayern, kitted out all in red and playing right to left, begin by spraying the ball around their defence.
The Champions League anthem is drowned out by a thunderous roar from the stands. It’s even loud enough to put a smile on Arjen Robben’s face.
Celtic’s last home win in a European group game was way back in October 2013, when they beat Frank de Boer’s Ajax 2-1. Mikael Lustig and James Forrest are the only players from that side who start tonight. Can they break that barren run tonight? Probably not, but we’ll find out for sure in 10 minutes.
Here’s Brendan!
“We have to be able to defend well. We gave away soft goals [in Munich]. We have to be aggressive, but look to keep the ball in attacking areas – Callum [McGregor] is a player who can do that. We go into every game hoping to win, and tonight is no different.”
Kieran Tierney is in the team tonight, fresh from signing a new six-year contract. That new deal hasn’t stopped 17 Premier League clubs from sending scouts north tonight, presumably to keep an eye on Celtic’s flying left-back.
I also note from my rudimentary online research that Tierney was born on the Isle of Man, and their FA are keen on him representing the island, who are not recognised by Uefa. Is he the best ever Manx footballer? Thoughts welcome.
Bayern Munich haven’t lost in Scotland since 1989, when they were beaten by not Celtic, nor Rangers, but Hearts. A scorcher from Iain Ferguson sealed a 1-0 win at Tynecastle, but Bayern prevailed 2-1 on aggregate. Their manager way back then? None other than Jupp Heynckes.
Celtic fans could be forgiven for feeling dispirited at the sight of Bayern’s weakened front line – Kingsley Coman, Arjen Robben and James Rodríguez. Still, it could be worse, with Mats Hummels, Thiago Alcantara and Joshua Kimmich on the bench.
Team news
Celtic (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Bitton, Tierney; Brown, Armstrong; Forrest, McGregor, Sinclair; Dembélé.
Subs: De Vries, Griffiths, Gamboa, Hayes, Rogic, Ntcham, Ajer.
Bayern Munich (4-3-3): Ulreich; Rafinha, Süle, Boateng, Alaba; Tolisso, Javi Martínez, Vidal; Robben, Coman, Rodríguez.
Subs: Starke, Hummels, Thiago, Rudy, Kimmich, Friedl, Wintzheimer.
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Preamble
Do Celtic dare to dream? They were outclassed in Munich two weeks ago, but tonight could be different. Bayern are without Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski, who have stayed in the club’s crowded treatment room, and Celtic have made a habit of upending Europe’s elite on nights like these.
But wait – who’s this approaching with a bucket of ice-cold water? It’s Brendan Rodgers! “I think it is all nice, the dreamy stuff of winning a game and feeding off it for a couple of years, but the reality is that you have got to strive to build something,” Rodgers said on Monday – a far cry from the grandstanding that preceded the 3-0 loss to Bayern and 5-0 thumping by PSG.
Rodgers’ shift in tone is understandable – even with their injury troubles, Bayern are heavy favourites tonight – but this is an opportunity to upset a heavyweight without the inconvenience of veering from the long-term plan. Victory for Celtic would put them in a genuine race for second place with a fragile Bayern side, and would also effectively seal their fall-back target of a Europa League spot.
Celtic are already 33-1 on to win the Scottish title, and 16-1 against to escape their Champions League group, as they seek to flourish in a footballing vacuum. If their fans can’t dream tonight, when can they? Kick-off is at 7.45pm, GMT.
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