Celtic come to Munich for Champions League play-off second leg on back of victory

Celtic come to Munich for their Champions League play-off second leg with renewed on back of a 3-0 win over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday. Captain Callum McGregor and Jota gave Brendan Rodgers’ side a half-time lead, before Adam Idah wrapped things up late on at Celtic Park. It gave the Bhoys a 16-point lead at the top of the table, before Rangers reduced that back to 13 points with a 3-1 win at Hearts on Sunday.

Rodgers praise for mentality

Rodgers spoke after the game of his pleasure at his team’s level of reaction from the 2-1 loss in the first leg. “It was a really professional performance. The mentality of this team has been relentless all season,” the 52-year-old said after the game, while also highlighting his goalscorers. “It was a bit of individual brilliance which gets us on the way. He was instrumental today in everything and got us off to a really good start,” Rodgers said of McGregor.

Talking about Jota scoring the second goal, he added: “Jeffrey [Schlupp] opens up the space for him to go outside and he makes a really good run that clears the space inside and then it’s a wonderful finish.” For the third from Idah, Rodgers said: “Adam’s finish was absolutely superb, and he really deserved that because he worked ever so hard.”

“Good feeling” for second leg

Rodgers also quickly turned his attentions to Tuesday’s vital second leg at the Allianz Arena: “Recover tomorrow and prepare for a really exciting game for us on Tuesday, and we go in with a good feeling.”

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