Andreas Hinkel defends Celtic amid disrespectful German media narrative

The Celtic Star

·18 February 2025

Andreas Hinkel defends Celtic amid disrespectful German media narrative

Andreas Hinkel has defended Celtic amidst disrespectful ‘Bayern already through’ comments from the German media…

Celtic defender Andreas Hinkel (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The former Celt, who was signed under Gordon Strachan, was asked about the match between Bayern and Celtic, with one journalist arrogantly asking the Scottish title-winner the following question…

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“Mr Hinkel, aren’t Bayern already through after the 2-1 win at Celtic Park?”

Former Aberdeen and Scotland defender, Willie Miller, said yesterday that perhaps the German’s arrogance can be a chink in their armour and allow Celtic to gain an advantage from there. The man who won the Cup Winners’ Cup with the Dons back in 1983 under Sir Alex Ferguson, argued that there is a history of Bayern behaving like ties are won when nothing could be further from the truth, and pointed to Aberdeen’s victory back in the day and Manchester United coming back from the death, to beat Munich in Barcelona in 1999.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Daizen Maeda of Celtic during the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

‘Celtic have a good team’

It seems the German media have already written Celtic off for this one and judging by the obnoxious questions, are repeating history. That’s not to say Bayern won’t go through, but rather a nod to what happens when you allow complacency to enter into the psyche. Hinkel responded to the question from Frankfurter Neue Presse, saying: “I said before the first leg that Bayern were the clear favourites. That hasn’t really changed after the result. Celtic have a good team – but a lot would have to happen for things to go wrong for Bayern.”

‘They need the absolutely perfect day to advance’

He continued: “I don’t know if Celtic can learn much from a home game between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern. As I said, Bayern are the clear favourites. From Celtic’s point of view, they need the absolutely perfect day to advance. They would have to be top defensively, use their counterattacks and also have the necessary luck in the game.”

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)

Celtic has some good players

Our former full-back pointed out Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kühn and Arne Engels as all potential threats for Bayern too, adding: “You could already see in the first leg that they have some good players. In Germany, Nicolas Kühn is particularly well known; he has developed really well during his time in Glasgow.

Daizen Maeda causing havoc in the Bayern Munich defence. Celtic v Bayern Munich, Champions League play-off, on 12 February 2025 at Celtic Park. Photo Imago.

“Daizen Maeda is a player who is very dangerous in front of goal; he scored the goal in the first leg. And in midfield, they have Arne Engels, a player who I know from the Belgian national team and who I really respect.”

Danke, Andreas!

Paul Gillespie

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