View from Munich: What do Celtic need to go beyond the group stage?

ByFlorian Bogner

Updated 02/11/2017 at 17:13 GMT

Eurosport's Florian Bogner covers Bayern Munich at home and abroad. After his midweek trip to Glasgow, he offers his opinion on Celtic after a 2-1 home defeat to Bayern saw them exit the Champions League knock-out stage for a second straight season.

What was Bayern’s reaction to playing at Celtic Park?

The reaction of the players were huge. Joshua Kimmich said beforehand that he was really looking forward to it because of the atmosphere. Mats Hummels even took a selfie afterwards in the empty stadium. He doesn't do that in Germany.

Arjen Robben thanked the fans when we spoke to him for applauding him while being substituted. Niklas Süle said everybody on the team had goose bumps during the Champions League anthem.

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It is fair to say Celtic Park left a real impression among the Bayern staff and players.

How does it compare to grounds in Germany?

It is as good as a stadium as anything the Bundesliga has to offer.

Was it the best you had visited?

To be honest: I really enjoyed it, but it is difficult to say if it was THE best. I’ve visited a lot of stadiums. A full San Siro can be deafening loud as I experienced in 2011 when Bayern met Inter. The Juventus stadium, even with less people than Celtic Park, also has an impressive atmosphere.

Benfica’s Estadio da Luz has its moments as well. So: I’d say it is right up there among the best. I really enjoyed the 67th minute when the fans paid tribute to Celtic's 1967 European Cup winners.

That was a bit special.

Impressions of Celtic as a team?

Celtic and Bayern Munich at Celtic Park.

Image credit: Eurosport

Well, I think they have some quality; Kieran Tierney is a huge talent, Stuart Armstrong had strong moments in the midfield and James Forrest made some nice moves out wide. But it’s not what you would say are 'round of 16' material.

The coach Brendan Rodgers is obviously keen to see his side improve in Europe, but they have some way to go.

I would suggest Celtic need a better centre half, a class defensive midfielder, a spectacular winger and a striker who can score five Champions League goals a campaign. That is the facts of life in the Champions League.

To put that into context: Celtic’s squad from Tuesday has four Champions League goals - in total.

Bayern’s left-back David Alaba has five.

Florian Bogner on Twitter @flopumuc

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