Bayern Munich v Celtic – “They deserve to be where they are,” Jeff Stelling

The Celtic Star

·18 février 2025

Bayern Munich v Celtic – “They deserve to be where they are,” Jeff Stelling

Jeff Stelling took the opportunity via his platform on talkSPORT, to give appreciation of what Celtic have achieved this year in European football…

Jeff Stelling, photo Sky Sports.

The former Soccer Saturday host was doing his usual duties on the show, when a caller remarked that the Hoops had an easy fixture list due to the draw this year being different from before.

Vidéos OneFootball

Stelling took umbrage at anti-Celtic caller

Stelling took umbridge at this and had a go at the caller, remarking how silly the point was and read off list of teams we’ve played this year in the Champions League. Understandably, the format has suited Celtic a lot better than the previous years, as we play an opponent once and don’t have to endure a ‘group of death’ like we have previously been saddled with successively.

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

Celtic’s ‘easy group’ with Aston Villa, Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Atalanta…

It’s been a refreshing and welcome change and has ensured that whilst we play undoubted quality, there is ample opportunity to play teams of a similar stature and standing within the game, ultimately making the competition fairer for much longer.

Sure, we’ve played Slovan Bratislava and BSC Young Boys, but those two teams have still been in and around European competition for years, regardless of the supposed gap in quality. You can only beat what’s in front of you, as they say…

Celtic starting XI Celtic v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Round Play-offs, First Leg, Celtic Park, 12 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Bayern v Celtic – “we shall see”

In rebuke of the caller’s comments, Stelling replied: “Oh, that’s right. A really easy group involving Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, Red Bull Leipzig, Atalanta, and even Club Brugge. Don’t make me laugh, it wasn’t an easy group and they deserve to be where they are. You might be right when he goes on to say that Bayern will dismantle Celtic tonight, but we shall see.”

Well said Jeff!

Paul Gillespie

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