Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany relishing ‘hot’ Celtic tie

The Celtic Star

·2 February 2025

Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany relishing ‘hot’ Celtic tie

Vincent Kompany relishing ‘hot’ Celtic tie as the Bayern boss reacts to Champions League knockout playoff draw…

Players of FC Bayern München pose for a picture prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers’ side have been landed with a glamour two-legged affair after finishing 21st in the new 36-team format. A 4-2 defeat in Birmingham against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening subsequently meant it was either a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu or Allianz Arena.

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Bayern Munich come to Celtic Park in first leg

With the latter being drawn out on Friday lunchtime, Celtic will host the first leg at Paradise on Wednesday 12 February before heading to Germany for the second leg six days later – possibly without an away support due to the flare thrower at Villa Park.

Celtic fans show their stupidity and selfishness by lighting flares during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The current Bundesliga league leaders finished 12th in the elongated set-up in Europe’s elite club competition. Winning five of their eight matches whilst losing on three occasions, including a 3-0 defeat to Feyenoord in Rotterdam two weeks ago, Bayern only missed out on top eight by a point.

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

The result in Rotterdam gives Celtic encouragement

That result in Rotterdam will give Celtic plenty of hope that a similar success can be achieved under the lights at Celtic Park where Celtic remain undefeated in all competitions since December 2023.

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

After losing their supreme status in Germany last season, Kompany’s men are nine points clear of title-holders Bayer Leverkusen after 19 games played, albeit Xabi Alonso’s side have a chance to reduce the deficit to six with a victory over Hoffenheim later today.

Despite being heavy favourites, the former Manchester City defender is looking forward at the prospect of facing Celtic in two weeks’ time with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Speaking in BeIN Sports, the 38 year-old Bayern boss said:

“Now we have to restore this energy to be hot for those games. Now City, as well as Celtic, enter these knock-out matches with a good feeling, and we need to have that as well. “We have to build our energy. We have to switch to the mentality of looking forward to these big games. You get to the stage of a competition where you expect big games.”

When the two sides collide this month it’s sure to be an enthralling encounter – and Celtic will certainly not be there to make up the numbers.

Conor Spence

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