Callum McGregor once again produced a top-class display on the European stage as Celtic went toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. And the Hoops were only seconds away from taking the German giants to extra-time in their UEFA Champions League play-off when they conceded a goal which put Bayern through on aggregate. It was a heartbreaking end to a game that Brendan Rodgers’ side had played so well in, and the Celtic captain said that the players have to take the positives from their performance on this stage. Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Callum McGregor said: “We performed really well on the night but we didn’t get what we deserved in the game. “The players were outstanding, the game-plan was perfect and the template of the game was perfect for us, but sometimes football is cruel and you don’t get what you deserve. “However, the players should feel pride based on that type of performance, which was outstanding, so we want to take the positives from that, bank this whole experience of the Champions League and be better for it again next year.”Celtic went into the game in Munich trailing 2-1 from the first leg at Celtic Park, but on the night they were more than a match for Bayern, creating numerous chances before Nicolas Kuhn opened the scoring in the second-half. That goal put the Hoops ahead on the night and level on aggregate, but in the last seconds of added time, Alphonso Davies bundled the ball over the line to equalise and deny Celtic extra-time. “It is a real sore one and the boys will be down for a couple of days,” said McGregor, “but it’s important that we don’t dwell on it for too long. “We have a big game at the weekend and now we’re chasing down the league and there’s still a cup to play for as well, so we have to get this out the system as quick as we possibly can, take the positives form it and remember that feeling as well. “It’s never nice to lose games of football and especially when you do a lot right and you don’t get what you deserve, then you try and harness that feeling and turn it into a positive. ‘And now we just attack the rest of the season with the league and the cup.’ “The growth in the players and the team, even from game one right through to game 10 has been outstanding and there’s a real maturity about the way we’re playing the game now at this level. “You have to understand that you have to suffer without the ball sometimes but it’s never for too long. “We’re always trying to nudge ourselves up the pitch, be compact and press at the right times. “We’ve got some experienced players but there are also some young ones in there as well, and they’re learning all the time as well, the team is growing all the time at this level and when you come and give a performance like that against a top club, then it should give everyone a big shot in the arm for next season.” more on the match Manager: I’m very proud of the players for an outstanding performance against Bayern - read more Match Gallery: Bayern Munich v Celtic – click here UCL heartache in Germany for heroic Hoops – match report FixturesFC Bayern München Vs. Celtic – Tue, Feb 18th 2025, 20:00
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