Celtic v Bayern Munich – “We have to win. I think that’s obvious,” Callum McGregor | OneFootball

After securing our place in the Quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, following a comprehensive 5-0 win over Raith Rovers, Celtic now looks forward to our Champions League play-off tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night…

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and SV Werder Bremen at Allianz Arena on February 07, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Harry Kane and Co. are in town and Brendan Rodgers will once again get to do battle with another European heavyweight, in what is sure to be another special night at Paradise under the lights.

Celtic have faced Bayern Munich in recent years, as we came across the German giants in Rodgers’ first spell as Hoops boss, back in 2017. We unfortunately lost 2-1 that evening at home but were by no means overwhelmed by the opposition.

Our captain, Callum McGregor, was the man that got on the scoresheet that night and has admitted that if we are to hold out any hope of progression to the Last-16, we simply have to win our home tie this week.

Callum McGregor of Celtic applauds the fans after the team’s victory in the Scottish Cup match between Celtic FC and Raith Rovers FC at Celtic Park on February 08, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘We have to win. I think that’s obvious’

“I think if we have any idea of progressing out the tie then we have to win. I think that’s obvious,” McGregor said, as reported by Daily Record. “You know it’ll be a tough game over there, so I think we have to carry something into the away game. Yeah, in my opinion, we have to win.

“Of course we have to believe. If we don’t believe it, then no one else in the stadium is going to. Our performance is to bring belief to the stadium and start the game and hopefully we start on a positive foot and try and do the things that we want to do.

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘At that point, the stadium grows in belief’

“At that point, the stadium grows in belief and then one or two things might happen in the game and all of a sudden everyone’s got this feeling that it could be a special night. But first and foremost, we want to do ourselves justice, we want to bring our football to the game.

“The only way we’re going to beat them is by being aggressive and being us. So, we’re not going to all of a sudden go 5-4-1 and start smashing it long, that’s not us,” the Celtic captain said.

Auston Trusty and Callum McGregor of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League training on January 28, 2025 in Birmingham,. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

No false pretence about the magnitude

The midfield general is under no false pretence about the magnitude of getting a result on Wednesday evening but reckons with the crowd roaring them on, success can be a reality.

He said: “It’s a big, big task and I’m talking as if I believe we can win, which of course I do, but I’m also not silly. We’re playing against one of the best teams in the world, so to have the first game here and we give everything that we’ve got, you know, let’s see if we can take a lead into the away leg.”

Celtic v BSC Young Boys, view of Paradise from the sky. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

‘It’s a special atmosphere’

Calmac added: “Any game here, the crowd get involved and it’s a special atmosphere, it’s a special stadium, and even more so on European nights, against the biggest of teams they come. We want to give a performance that makes everyone proud and we’ll see where we are after that.”

Paul Gillespie

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