Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers claims it is “game on” in Munich after his team showed they could hurt Bayern when they got going.
Daizen Maeda’s 79th-minute goal allowed Celtic fans to travel to Germany next week with some hope following a 2-1 defeat to the Bundesliga leaders in the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase play-off.
Vincent Kompany’s side dominated possession for the bulk of the game but Carter-Vickers felt Celtic’s defence looked solid for the most part.
A fortunate ricochet and a brilliant finish saw Michael Olise give Bayern the lead just before half-time and some non-existent marking allowed Harry Kane to volley home the second soon after the interval.
But Celtic improved after Maeda moved into a central striking role and the home side pressed for an equaliser after the Japan attacker headed home.
Carter-Vickers said: “It was an interesting game. I think in the first half we contained them fairly well, probably a bit too passive maybe in some of our defensive moments. We could have been a bit better on the ball.
“I think in the last 20-25 minutes we grew into the game. I think we showed that we can hurt them and keep the ball at times as well. We have to take it into the next week.
“By the end of it, we were on the front foot and looking pretty good. Later on in the game, I think we started to get our passing game together and kept the ball for periods of time. When we’ve done that, we look dangerous.
“That’s definitely something we need to try and do next week.”
The former Tottenham player added: “As long as it’s one goal, it’s definitely game on. For us, it’s probably about going over there and either trying to keep that scoreline or better it for as long as we can, and trying to take the game over there to the dying minutes of that game.”
Celtic were only three points worse off the Bayern after the eight-game league stage but there appeared to be a gulf on the pitch for the first hour at Parkhead on Wednesday.
However, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his side for refusing to be “broken” and show they can adapt to the level even during a game.
His side bounced back from a 7-1 thrashing in Dortmund on match day two to beat another German side, RB Leipzig, in their best display of the competition and Carter-Vickers feels they are showing they can grow as a team.
“Defensively as well now, we’re kind of showing that”, he added. “I know we conceded two but again, I can’t remember too many big chances that they had, really.
“A couple of sloppy mistakes from us led to their two goals, but apart from that, for a large part, we contained them well. They had a lot of possession, but probably didn’t create too much.
“We know we’ve got that side, so it’s just about on that ball, that belief that we can go and hurt them and create chances and score goals.
“I don’t think anything major needs to change. Like I said, it’s just about building that belief that we showed in the last 25 minutes on the ball and knowing that we can hurt them if we’re brave and put our passes together.”