Celtic are set for a famous night under the Parkhead lights as they return to the Champions League knock-out stages for the first time in over a decade.
Neil Lennon was in charge the last time they made it beyond the group stages to face Juventus back in 2013.
Bayern Munich stand between the Hoops and a place in the last-16, a side Brendan Rodgers lost home and away group stage matches against during his first spell in charge.
Celtic last reached the Champions League knock-out stages in 2013
Both may be giants in their domestic leagues and well clear in the Scottish Premiership and Bundesliga, but the German side have six European Cup/Champions League titles to Celtic’s one.
While Vincent Kompany’s side warmed up for their trip to Glasgow with a 3-0 win against Werder Bremen, Celtic continued their Scottish Cup defence with a 5-0 win over Raith Rovers.
Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee.
It was a result that followed convincing Premiership wins against Dundee and Motherwell and Rodgers is confident they can find ways to hurt the German side on Wednesday night.
“I don’t have any doubt that we can. I think we’ve got goals. I think we’ve shown at all levels of competition, whether it’s home or domestic, we can score goals.
“We know we’re playing against some fantastic players and a team that’s top of the league and high in confidence in one of the top leagues. But in here, it will be supercharged Wednesday night, 60,000 souls will be with us and we’ll take the energy from that.
“We’ll do what I’ve always said. We’ll look to make it really, really difficult for Bayern and see where the game takes us.”
How big a miss will Maeda be?
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda was sent off in the win against Young Boys
Daizen Maeda’s Scottish Cup hat-trick took him to six goals in seven days after starting at centre-forward as Adam Idah was rested.
The Japan winger has now scored 50 goals since joining the Hoops in 2022, including three in this season’s Champions League group stages, but they will have to do without him this week after his late red card in their defeat at Aston Villa in their last group match.
Jota is set to make his Champions League return for Cetic against Bayern
He has been key for Celtic this season, but with Jota likely to start in his place it isn’t a bad replacement with the Portuguese winger on a goal and an assist from his three appearances since returning to the club.
There is also Idah, who looks to have re-found his scoring form recently. The striker has netted in back-to-back Premiership games, has three Champions League goals this season and it was his ball turned in by Young Boys to secure progression.
Will Celtic remain unbeaten at home?
Celtic’s Adam Idah leads the celebrations after another home win vs Young Boys
Celtic have impressed at home this season and are unbeaten at Parkhead in all competitions.
There is no doubt Bayern Munich will be their toughest test so far, but Rodgers has often pointed to the “mental toughness” of his players and there is no doubt confidence will be high.
Can Celtic keep Harry Kane and co quiet at Parkhead?
Kompany’s side finished nine places and three points above the Hoops, with their three group defeats – to Aston Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord – coming on the road.
Celtic suffered two group stage defeats, both away, to Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich: Previous meetings
Callum McGregor was the last Celtic player to score against Bayern Munich
Rodgers was in charge when Celtic last faced Bayern in the group stages of the Champions League in 2017.
They lost 2-1 in Glasgow before going down 3-0 in Munich in the return leg.
Callum McGregor was the last Celtic player to score against Bayern – the current captain netted in the first game, before being an unused substitute at the Allianz Arena
Sven Ulrich was in goal for the German side in both games – he is still at the club but has managed just one appearance this season.
