Celtic v Bayern Munich: “It’s going to be quite a loud one. So again, anything’s possible,” Alistair Johnston

Celtic defender Alistair Johnston spoke to the media yesterday ahead of the Champions taking on Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon…

Thomas Mueller
Thomas Mueller of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Joshua Kimmich during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Q: How does Bayern Munich sound?

Alistair Johnston: “I think when you looked at the two options between Bayern and Real Madrid, they both were, well, some big European powerhouses. So, I think for us, we were kind of just looking forward to whoever we got, it’ll be an amazing experience. And again, a great opportunity for us to go and show Europe what we’re all about.”

“And it’ll be a really, really fun first leg having it at Celtic Park. I know it’ll be loud, and it’ll be a fixture that everyone’s kind of circled and excited for. So that’s to come now in two weeks, barely. It comes around the corner pretty quick. So we’ll focus on that a bit more when it gets a little closer. But yeah, no, an amazing fixture.”

Harry Kane
Harry Kane of FC Bayern München runs during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Q: Would you have rather had maybe a more sort of winnable type of tie or is the glamour tie the one you would want?

Alistair Johnston: “It’s funny you say that because I was looking at all the clubs that are left and it’s quite an impressive list of the who’s who’s of European football. So I don’t really think there is, yeah, as you’re even saying, an easier, I know what you’re trying to get at. Yeah, no, look, Bayern is coming into this and they’re expecting to be competing to lift this trophy at the end of it. Every team is when you go into this tournament, you’re trying to, you know, make it to the final. And they’re a team that, I mean, you ask the bookies, I bet they’re pretty probably right up there in terms of actually having a chance really doing it. So again, it’s a difficult draw.

Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane of FC Bayern München looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“For us, I think it’s one that we’re all really looking forward to. You know, having a first leg at home can be something to build on. It’s gonna be really important that our crowd’s right behind us from the get go. I can imagine it’s going to be quite a loud one. So again, anything’s possible. We just need to really come out firing right from the get go and hopefully give ourselves a chance going to that second leg and put some pressure on them. It’s a top, top team. It’s a team that’s been utterly dominant domestically over in Germany for the past decade or so. Obviously, last year, Leverkusen took the title. I think they’re top of the league and just such a strong outfit. So it won’t be an easy task, but again, one that I think we’re all excited for.”

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About Author

A current third year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

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