Vincent Kompany hails Celtic’s ‘special place’

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The Celtic Star

·14 February 2025

Vincent Kompany hails Celtic’s ‘special place’

Vincent Kompany hails Celtic Park as a ‘special place’ as his side headed back to Munich with a 2-1 victory following a cagey affair in Glasgow’s east end…

Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and FC Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The German giants were heavy favourites coming into the tie and agonisingly opened the scoring seconds before half-time. 23 year-old French winger Michael Olise’s stunning strike past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel meant the Bavarians led at the break.

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Harry Kane of all people was left unmarked

Shortly after the interval, Harry Kane was left unmarked at the back post from a Joshua Kimmich corner and the England skipper volleyed the ball into the roof of the net to seal what was looking like a comfortable night for the six-time winners of the competition.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.

Despite the defeat, Daizen Maeda’s header with 10 to play has given the Hoops slight resurgence in the tie. Leaving everything on the pitch, Celtic created half-chances in the dying embers of the first-leg but could not find that elusive equaliser.

Kompany, who was left in awe of the electric atmosphere inside Celtic Park on Wednesday evening is confident that following an impressive away victory in Glasgow, his side can qualify for the last 16 next week.

WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE 🎶 A rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone here at Celtic Park 🏟️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK
– Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Questioned on Brendan Rodgers’ side’s performance, Kompany said: “I know this place. I know it transcends performance sometimes. I thought we dealt really well with it for long spells of the game.”

‘We didn’t let the game go crazy’

“We didn’t let the game go crazy, and then the last ten minutes we had to defend and we did that well, as well. Of course, you can feel in those moments that if the game comes alive, it is a special place.”

“I don’t want to draw too many conclusions now because we have to see each other in one week again, but overall if you look at the squad, Celtic has always been a fantastic platform for players who are building their careers to the very, very top.”

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

“Of course, they’ve got players who serve the club very loyally, who do well for many years, who represent the DNA of the club and the fans. But it’s very clear to me that it’s always, from a football side, a very exciting outfit.”

‘They have something special’

“Today I think we did as well as we could to not concede momentum. These places, it’s very hard to explain, but they have something special and that’s why we can value this win.”

Celtic will have to pull off one of their greatest European performances to defeat Bayern in Germany next Tuesday and book their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Celtic v Bayern Munich – 12 February 2025. Image of Celtic Park from above. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Celtic can cause Bayern problems

Nevertheless, stranger results have happened, and Kompany will be in no doubt Celtic, who have performed admirably across the Champions League this season, can cause problems against the Bundesliga league leaders in the Allianz Arena.

Conor Spence

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