Alan McInally: ‘It’ll be no walk in the park at Celtic Park’

Alan McInally represented both Bayern and Celtic during his playing career. Ahead of the Champions League play-off meeting between his two former club, the one-time striker has spoken about the special atmosphere inside Celtic Park, old friendships, and the “McInally derbies” in Europe this season.

Rambo, Aumann and the Olympiastadion

“In a Rambo style, Alan McInally went past the defenders, pushed another defender out of his way and smashed the ball into the net” – McInally still clearly remembers the words used by a newspaper reporter to describe one of his goals. It was the early 80s and Sylvester Stallone’s film Rambo was on in cinemas. “I probably reminded him of the hero from the film with how I moved,” said the former striker, who turned 62 on Monday.

It was the birth of his nickname that has stuck with him since and was chanted fervently by fans inside Celtic Park from the following home game whenever he got on the ball. “It was a great time, a wonderful career,” recalls the man who also played for Bayern between 1989 and 1992. The Scotland international won the Bundesliga in 1990 and scored 10 goals in 40 league games for the club. There are photos from back then of a beaming McInally alongside Raimond Aumann and the Meisterschale at the old Olympiastadion.

“The fact all my former clubs are facing each other in the Champions League this season is really special for me,” he said, referring to them as the “McInally derbies”. fcbayern.com had already been in touch with him before Bayern’s encounter with Aston Villa in the league phase. “I don’t speak German much anymore. When I can’t think of the words, I just carry on in English,” he explained. He was probably also lost for words when Villa won 1-0.

The English club then faced Celtic on the final day of the league phase, and now the Hoops take on Bayern as well. “It’s so great. People always ask me who I’m backing. I need to be careful what I say. I still feel a close connection with all my former clubs.”

“Bayern would’ve preferred a week off”

When Bayern arrive in Glasgow, it’ll be anything other than a walk in the park at Celtic Park, according to McInally. “The atmosphere is unique. European nights at Celtic Park are really special,” he added, having played in a number himself. The now 62-year-old also believes that Celtic have no pressure on them. “Every fan knows Bayern have greater quality and will probably progress over the two legs. But that’s exactly the risk. Celtic have nothing to lose. Bayern have a lot of pressure and aren’t happy to be in these play-offs. I think Bayern would’ve preferred a week off instead of going to Celtic Park.”

The fact that Celtic were even in the running and indeed reached the play-offs is already a great success in itself. “Celtic have been champions in nine of the last 10 years, won the cup six times. They’ve gotten used to domestic success. It’s now about achieving something in Europe,” McInally insisted. Celtic fans are football mad and voice that in every game. “They want to help Celtic win this game,” explained the ex-striker, who believes a draw would be a good result for them going into the return leg in Munich.

Scottish football fans also have fond memories of Germany from last summer’s Euros, with McInally hoping that the images of German and Scottish supporters enjoying games in peace will be repeated. “We have a lot in common. I know that from my time in Munich. Scots and Bavarians like to drink beer, sometimes also a whiskey. We just get along,” he said. While we may see some lederhosen, there won’t be any kilts on display with Celtic supporters. Their identity is unique, given their strong Irish heritage. 

McInally highlighted Daizen Maeda as one Bayern need to watch out for. The 27-year-old forward has eight goals and seven assists in 22 league outings this season, plus three more in seven Champions League games. He was sent off in the 1-0 win against Young Boys, originally handed a two-match suspension, but that has since been reduced to one, which he served in the 4-2 loss at Aston Villa, meaning the Japanese forward is now available for both legs against Bayern. American defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is the Hoops’ most valuable player and will be tasked with shackling Harry Kane. According to McInally, experienced captain Callum McGregor will pull the strings in midfield and get stuck in, with Adam Ida the man for goals, as he did against Villa with a brace and two more in his last two league games. 

Celtic the springboard 

“Celtic is a good springboard, as was the case for me,” McInally explained. He joined the Glasgow club from Ayr United as a 20-year-old. “I grew up at Celtic and learned what it means to play for a big team.” He won the league title there at a time when Pat Bonner, Roy Aitken and Brian McClair were among the stars for the team. The striker had to be sold to Aston Villa for financial reasons, before his move to Munich two years later. “I like all my ex-clubs. But when I come to Munich, it always feels like coming home.” Despite a bad knee injury and his retirement in the 90s, that bond with Germany has never broken. “I still have friends in Munich,” he said, including some notable former teammates like Klaus Augenthaler – “The best player I ever played with” – and also names like Pflüger, Mihajlovic, Reuter, Kohler. And Olaf Thon? “Oh my goodness, can’t forget him! But Augenthaler was our captain.”

We don’t dare ask McInally who he’s backing in this play-off. Rambo would probably just say he’s supporting both teams. In fact, he pre-empts the question: “Maybe you’d just say I want a great McInally derby”. 

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