OWEN Hargreaves feels the financial and footballing gulf between Bayern Munich and Celtic has grown exponentially since he helped the German giants pip Martin O’Neill’s side to a last 16 place during the 2003-04 Champions League.
But the Canadian-born former England midfielder, now a pundit for BT Sport, also reckons that tonight in the Allianz Arena could prove the perfect setting for young men like Kieran Tierney and Patrick Roberts to take a giant stride forwards on the world stage, by proving they can cope with whatever the likes of Arjen Robben and David Alaba have to throw at them.
And if there is a further crumb of comfort for Celtic on the night it could come in the German goal, where standby goalkeeper Svein Ullreich has thus far struggled to compensate for the loss of Manuel Neuer with a long-term injury. Assuming, that is, the Parkhead side can get near enough to test him.
Hargreaves played in the old Olympiastadion back in September 2003 as Bayern fought back from the concession of an early Alan Thompson goal to break Celtic hearts with two Roy Makaay strikes, then carved out a goalless draw in the return match at Celtic Park, as Celtic, Uefa Cup runners up the season before, again had to settle for a spot in the continent’s second tournament.
The Parkhead side again travel to Bavaria in hope, if not expectation, of the shock result which would open up this section, but even despite the early season turmoil which saw Carlo Ancelotti surprisingly replaced by Jupp Heynckes, Hargreaves gives little for their chances.
“Celtic are great to watch under Brendan Rodgers,” said Hargreaves.” Even last season against Manchester City it was lovely to see them. It’s hard when a team is so dominant in their league and then they have to completely change the way they play against bigger teams such as PSG. But they are great to watch and have players like Scott Sinclair who has been terrific and everyone raves about Kieran Tierney. He’s one of those players who could easily play in one of the bigger Premier League teams and Patrick Roberts looks like he has the X-Factor in decisive moments.
“For young players playing in a game of this magnitude is a great test,” he added. “I remember playing against Luis Figo in one of my first Champions League games and thinking ‘I hope he doesn’t destroy me’. We won in that semi-final and it gave me so much confidence. While Bayern are heavy favourites, if Roberts or Tierney can get a bit of joy and confidence those young players can grow incredibly in a game like this. Hopefully they can spring a surprise because a lot of their players won’t know about them.”
Hargreaves feels Celtic may be facing Bayern Munich a couple of weeks too late. “It’s a big ask, especially with all the emotion of Jupp Heynckes coming back,” he said. “They won 5-0 in his first game back and everyone is smiling again. “It would be a remarkable achievement if Celtic got a result in Munich,” he added.
“But for whatever reason Bayern haven’t been at it this season and Manuel Neuer is missing which is a big thing. He isn’t incredibly busy but he makes important saves and the biggest weakness for Bayern is probably the fact he’s missing. But Celtic have to get up the pitch to test Sven Ulreich. It’s hard for them because in the league they’re so dominant and in control of games possession-wise.
Read more: Stewart Fisher: Why can't Brendan Rodgers manage Scotland as well as Celtic?
"They blow teams out the water but how much possession will they have against Bayern, 35 per cent? Patrick Roberts could maybe carry them up the pitch and having someone they can hit - a target - is going to be crucial.”
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