Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 20:00 UK time Wednesday; TNT Sports TV
- Champions League, Group Match 5
- Celtic in 20th place on 8pts & 0 GD. All very tight in the table, with even major sides struggling (Real Madrid & PSG are in 24th & 25th spot).
- Daizen Maeda has more Champions League goals this season than Mo Salah & Kylian Mbappe combined.
- First meeting between the sides. Ex Celtic manager Ronnie Deila was Brugges manager but was cut earlier this year. Arne Engels starts against his boyhood club
- Ex-Celt Dedryck Boyata left out of Brugges’ Champions League squad so did not face Celtic. He came onto the pitch at half time to say hello to all.
- Fan safety nets in use at Celtic Park Away Section for first time.
- Celtic are unbeaten in their last five Champions League home games (W3 D2), having lost eight of their previous nine at Celtic Park before this (D1).
- Prematch: Celtic only side outwith Europe’s top seven leagues projected to reach the knockout rounds. @FootRankings projected Celtic to finish 18th.
- Prematch: Christos Tzolis scored four of Club Bruges’ goals in their 7-0 defeat of Sint-Truidense (last Saturday), and exclaimed Brugges “ready” for trip to Celtic Park.
- Celtic are the seventh best overperforming side in this season’s Champions League comparing their points with playing budget, with Brest leading the way and Real Madrid at the bottom (could easily change in the next few games!).
- Post-Match: Opta calcualting that Celtic need 3pts from now from matches 6-8 to be virtually through, and 2pts is 94% likely through. @fmeetsdata put Celtic @87% to reach the playoff round likely to face PSV or Benfica.
- Other scores: Man City blew 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 v Feyenoord! Leipzig & Bratislava both have lost all their games so far, but so have Young Boys whom Celtic face soon.
- Celtic B Team win 1-0 v Bruges in Youth Champions League.
- League: Aberdeen incredibly drew v bottom side Hibs in an incredibly pulsating finale ending 3-3 with three goals in injury time! Celtic now have game in hand and if keep momentum will be clear in the lead.
- Sevco fans organising big demo protests at their ground.
- Celtic FC shop launched scheme selling pieces of virtual turf on the sacred Celtic Park pitch! Not gone down well, and seen as an exploitative cash grab.
- World chess championships started: Ding (China) v Gukesh (India).
Summary
“It’s just us against ourselves now to see how many points we can get”
Cameron Carter-Vickers pre match
Joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:
Maeda scored an excellent goal that saved Celtic’s blushes after conceding a calamitous own goal for the first goal. Brugges were really the better team on the day but Celtic had their chances too. Really the big issue was Celtic’s midfield which was dreadful, with Engels and Hatate having a poor day, whilst the full-backs were also torn apart at times. Valle and Bernard on in the second half made a difference, but Kuhn was heavily marked whilst Kyogo had little service to do anything. Schmeichel had a great save at the start of the second half but some put par blame on him for the conceded goal.
Good fortune with the Brugge second goal ruled offside (marginally), but really only VAR could have called that one.
On the Own goal: Carter Vickers got unlucky tonight. He rarely makes mistakes. I’ve still got full confidence in him, he’ll laugh it off what happened as should the rest of us. Kuhn shouldn’t have driven the ball back into the box, and players ended up under pressure although CCV should have looked up etc. Just one of those moments that happen.
A point is a point for sure, but it’s now getting cutthroat with the next game appearing to be a must win for both sides playing, albeit the quants claiming that Celtic are odds on to make the play-off stage (top 8 is likely too far a challenge now).
Kheredine Idessane (BBC Scotland) at Celtic Park:
This may well turn out to be a very valuable point for Celtic, despite their disappointment at not taking all three on home soil, with just one match left here at Parkhead before the knockout phase. That’s against pointless Young Boys in January.
A share of the spoils seems fair enough to me. Club Brugge are a very good side; pacey, inventive and well-organised. They clearly enjoyed a huge slice of good fortune with the Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal.
Celtic struggled to get anywhere near the heights of their performance against RB Leipzig but you have to put a lot of that down to the quality and discipline of their Belgian opponents. The home side scored a cracking goal and created a couple of other good chances but never did enough consistently across the 90 minutes to deserve the victory.
They now face a trip to Zagreb next month, before facing Young Boys and Aston Villa in January. They’ve not hit the 10-point mark they’ve targeted. Not yet. But I’ll be very surprised if they don’t burst through that barrier in the next couple of games.
It’s tough at the top in Europe’s elite competition. But once again Celtic have held their own and shown they can compete, and compete well.
Arsene Parcelie @arseneparcelie.bsky.social · A match between two similar sides. Both had moments, and just shows the step up that this competition is. Could have won it, could have lost too. Could also say we got away with it with the VAR decision. Not enough created but that’s what it’s like sometimes. Brugge were a decent team Said it for long enough, we always look like a team of wee guys at times. Aye, we’ve got some strong players but at this level we rarely win the midfield aerial duels and it works to our advantage. We need a break here the same as they got.
Inside the SPFL @agentscotland.bsky.social · FT: Celtic 1-1 Brugge This can be a massive point for Celtic, with how that game developed it’s a point gained rather than 2 dropped IMO, Brugge were tactically superb & looked technically superior, unbelievable goal from Maeda, huge learning curve but still in a great position.
Etims: E-Tims @ETimsNet · Kubler Ross #CelticFC So, faced 2 of the bigger teams away, 2 decent, 1 struggling, teams at home, & now sitting on 8 pts. Next 2 games vs 1 decent and 1 struggling team, its an acceptable position. 2 big CL games ahead to ensure Villa away isn’t a slugfest in January.
Everything Celtic @aboutceltic: It’s worth noting that Arne Engels is the youngest permanent member of the Celtic first team. Yes, he is due a spell out of the starting XI but he only recently turned 21 & is already a Belgian international. He will come good, unfortunately for him his fee goes against him.
Moravcik67 @moravcik67.bsky.social · Not our best performance. 1st half was poor. 2nd half was better, without being brilliant. One of those “Could have won. Could have lost” type of games. Brugge looked a tidy and composed team; well organised and good at finding space. 3pts would have been great, but a draw isn’t a disaster.
Stevie Jackson @bobbyperu1975.bsky.social · Two evenly matched sides. Conceded a crazy goal and thankfully the narrow offside kept it level. Great save from KS just after half time. Didn’t create much but got a great goal. Final ball (or 2nd final ball) not quite there all night. Everything a bit scrappy. Trusty very good.
Everything Celtic @everythingceltic.bsky.social · Walking away from that, I’m more than content with a point. A pretty poor performance, not many chances created & a moment of absolute madness. We remain in a great position to qualify for the KO round, on to Saturday
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor, subbed for Álex Valle at 59mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
27 A. Engels, subbed for Paulo Bernardo at 59mins
38 D. Maeda, subbed for J. Forrest at 76mins
08 K. Furuhashi, subbed for A. Idah at 76mins
10 N. Kühn, subbed for Yang Hyun-Jun at 88mins
Subs:
49 J. Forrest
28 Paulo Bernardo 84′, Yellow Card at 84mins
09 A. Idah
14 L. McCowan
17 M. Nawrocki
07 L. Palma
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
11 Álex Valle
57 S. Welsh
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
- D. Maeda (60′)
Assists:
- Álex Valle (60′)
Club Brugge:
Manager: Nicky Hayen
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
22 S. Mignolet
55 M. De Cuyper
44 B. Mechele 76′, Yellow Card at 76mins
04 J. Ordoñez 48′, Yellow Card at 48mins
65 J. Seys 90’+2, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 2
30 A. Jashari
15 R. Onyedika
08 C. Tzolis, subbed for C. Nielsen at 92mins
20 H. Vanaken (c), Captain
07 A. Skov Olsen, subbed for C. Talbi at 77mins
09 Ferran Jutglà, subbed for R. Vermant at 77mins
Subs:
29 N. Jackers
27 C. Nielsen
02 Z. Romero
64 K. Sabbe
21 M. Skóraś
58 J. Spileers
68 C. Talbi
17 R. Vermant
10 H. Vetlesen
Goals:
- C. Carter-Vickers (26′ og); Own Goal 26mins
Assists:
Match Officials
Referee Georgi Kabakov
Video Assistant Referee Dragomir Draganov
Assistant Referee 1 Martin Margaritov
Assistant Referee 2 Diyan Hristov Valkov
Fourth Official Vasil Minev
Assistant VAR Official Christian Dingert
Att: 57,456
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall Possession
Celtic 60.2% Club Brugge 39.8%
Shots
Celtic 7 Club Brugge 9
Shots on target
Celtic 3 Club Brugge 3
Shots off target
Celtic 4 Club Brugge 5
Blocked shots
Celtic 0 Club Brugge 1
Total touches in the box
Celtic 19 Club Brugge 18
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 3 Club Brugge 2
Fouls
Celtic 5 Club Brugge 8
Corners
Celtic 4 Club Brugge 5
Articles
Celtic trump Dedryck Boyata’s £15k gift in some style as horror moment saved by powers of recovery
By The Newsroom
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-trump-dedryck-boyatas-ps15k-gift-in-some-style-as-horror-moment-saved-by-powers-of-recovery-4886619
Comments
Published 27th Nov 2024, 22:27 GMT
Carter-Vickers’ crazy own goal sets Celtic back in quest for qualification
Celtic showed they had the power all right. The power of recovery. It still didn’t earn them what they desired, which was another three precious Champions League points.
However, a point was better than it looked like they would get for long stages, and was certainly acceptable having given the visitors a goal start and then seeing another Brugge counter, from Ferran Jutgla, ruled out in the second half for a tight offside call by VAR.
Credit to Cameron Carter-Vickers, who opened his Champions League account for the season, just at the wrong end, for regaining focus. It was the type of own goal you simply don’t expect to see at this rarefied level.
This wasn’t meant to be such a struggle. Targeting the magical ten-point mark, Celtic were expected to harness the energy of Parkhead and all but book themselves a Champions League play-off spot.
Instead, perhaps the noise and bedlam, which is what Brendan Rodgers referred to as the stadium’s “power” on the eve of the fixture, worked against the hosts initially. Was there a shout from Kasper Schmeichel to warn Carter-Vickers not to turn and play the ball back to him? Maybe there was. Did the defender just not just hear it?
Whatever happened in the 26th minute, Carter-Vickers clearly expected the keeper to be where he was when he last looked. It was firmly flouting the bit in the How to Defend handbook about never passing back towards one’s own goal. If you must do it, aim slightly to the side so the worst that can happen is conceding a corner.
Sadly for Carter-Vickers, he had his shooting boots on, which is more that can be said of those ahead of him. He watched in horror as the ball crept inside Schmeichel’s far post.
The Danish goalkeeper almost immediately called everyone in for a confab. It was the huddle-after-the huddle. Unfortunately for Celtic, they couldn’t wind back the clock and start again. Neither could they rely on Brugge giving them a goal back to even things up. They had to earn it themselves, and they did, with Daizen Maeda conjuring up some magic on the hour mark to earn a draw.
Perhaps we should have expected things might not be entirely straightforward. It was the 30th anniversary of Celtic being beaten by Raith Rovers in the Coca-Cola Cup final after all. Not that this was mentioned of course. More recent former player Dedryk Boyata, whose thumping header in a 5-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox was referenced across the Tannoy, came on to conduct the Paradise Windfall half-time draw.
Currently out of favour at Club Brugge, the defender was presumably still feeling Carter-Vickers’ pain when he trod the Parkhead turf again. He pulled out the winning ticket to make one lucky punter from Winchburgh £15,000 richer. It was still not the biggest gift of the night handed out at Celtic Park.
Celtic looked slightly leggy following their Saturday night endeavours at Tynecastle. Rodgers had warned that Celtic would have to be at the very peak of their game and that was borne out on a chilly night in the east end of Glasgow.
Ferren Jutgla provided some early alarm when his shot went just past the post after Reo Hatate had been beaten to the ball. The hosts looked uncharacteristically sluggish. Where the was the verve shown in earlier games against RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava?
The crowd were getting edgy. Some relief from the visitors’ dominance came when Maeda showed a clean pair of heels to 19-year-old wing back Joaquim Seys, but his cutback was hit high over by Arne Engels, who was not at his best throughout the hour he was on the park.
This raid proved brief respite. The dangerous No. 7 Andreas Skov Olsen curled just wide of the far post after Christian Tzolis, an eye-catching performer all night, was the fulcrum in a brilliant break that saw the ball quickly transferred from the left to right flank.
It didn’t seem like Brugge would need much help getting the goal they deserved but they got it anyway when Carter-Vickers endured his horror moment when blindly playing a pass back to where he thought his keeper was while under pressure from Maxim De Cuyper. Unfortunately for the American, Schmeichel had turned into Kasper the ghost. How the Brugge fans delighted in the agonies of the Dane, who once played for great rivals Anderlecht.
The ‘keeper was able to give something back at the start of the second half, when tipping De Cuyper’s goal-bound shot wide. That, surely, would have finished Celtic off, as might Skov Olsen’s chance at the far post. He poked over. It was a costly miss.
Maeda seems to come alive on these occasions. Rodgers had just made his first switches of the night, with Alex Valle replacing Greg Taylor and Paulo Bernardo swapping with Engels, when the winger chopped inside Seys and curled a delicious shot off the post despite appearing to lose his footing.
Daizen screamer earns the Celts a point at Paradise
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/november/27/daizen-screamer-earns-the-celts-a-point-at-paradise/
First Team
By Matthew Campbell
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27 Nov 2024, 10:20 pm
It finished all square at Celtic Park in tonight’s UCL clash against Club Brugge, with a brilliant finish from Daizen Maeda in the second half proving to be enough to earn the Hoops a point.
The freezing cold conditions on the night did not deter the Celtic faithful and, as has been customary for generations, Celtic Park was a cauldron of noise as the game got underway.
From the start, Club Brugge looked dangerous in attack, with the away side breaking forward at speed at every opportunity.
It came as no surprise, then, that the first real chance of the match fell to a Brugge player, with Ferran Jutglà curling the ball just wide of the post from the edge of the box.
That warning shot from the visitors seemed to spur the Celts in to life and just before the 15-minute mark, Daizen Maeda managed to square the ball in to the box from the left wing.
Arne Engels was there to get on the end of the ball, but his shot from 12 yards out rose high and wide of the target.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half, and with 25 minutes played Andreas Skov Olsen burst in to the area from the right wing and bent a shot goalward which drifted wide of the far post.
It felt like the opening goal was coming for the Belgian side, however nobody could have foreseen the circumstances which broke the deadlock in Brugge’s favour.
Nicolas Kühn picked up the ball on the right wing facing his own goal and opted to pass back to Cameron Carter-Vickers. The central defender, however, hadn’t noticed that Kasper Schmeichel was off of his line as he instinctively spun and passed the ball back towards goal.
Schmeichel raced back across the line to prevent the pass from trundling in, but there was too much pace on the ball and Brugge had a fortuitous lead.
The Hoops reacted to the own goal by trying to take more control of the possession and they did manage to create a few half chances, however they could not find a route through to goal and went in 1-0 down at half time.
60%
Possession
40%
7
Shots
9
3
Shots On Target
3
4
Corners
5
5
Fouls
8
1
0
Cards
3
0
The second half started in the same vein as the first 45 minutes, with Brugge enjoying the lion’s share of the possession and carving out an early opportunity which Kasper Schmeichel had to tip by the post after De Cuyper struck from distance.
On the hour mark Skov Olsen had a massive opportunity to double Brugge’s advantage when he was picked out at the back post by one of his teammates. The Brugge forward was completely unmarked but was unable to hit the target and instead skied his effort high in to the Lisbon Lions stand.
Seeing that changes were needed, Brendan Rodgers brought Paulo Bernardo and Alex Valle on, with the latter making an instant impact.
The left back looked for Daizen Maeda with a neat pass down the left wing which the Japanese forward was able to get on the end of.
Daizen then cut the ball on to his right foot before bending a superb effort across Simon Mignolet and in to the net off the far post to equalise for the Celts.
Less than 10 minutes later, Club Brugge had the ball in the net through Ferran Jutglà and the life was sucked out of Celtic Park, but a VAR review was to come to Celtic’s aid and the goal was chopped off for an offside in the build-up.
Lifted by the Brugge disallowed goal, Brendan Rodgers’ men went hunting for a winner, and despite creating a few openings and half-chances, they had to settle for a hard-earned point under the lights at Paradise.
The Celts remain unbeaten at home in this season’s UCL and in a healthy position as Brendan Rodgers and his side aim for progression in to the play-off round.
Next up for the Bhoys is a return to domestic action and the visit of Ross County to Celtic Park on Saturday.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor (Valle 59′), Engels (Paulo Bernardo 59′), McGregor, Hatate, Kühn (Hyunjun Yang 88′), Kyogo (Idah 76′), Maeda (Forrest 76′)
Subs: Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Paulo Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Seys, Ordóñez, Mechele, De Cuyper, Onyedika, Jashari, Skov Olsen (Talbi 77′), Vanaken, Tzolis (Nielsen 92′), Jutglà (Vermant 77′)
Subs: Romero, Vetlesen, Vermant, Skóras, Nielsen, Jackers, Spileers, Sabbe, Talbi
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c9vn400pyj4t#Report
Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park
Daizen Maeda struck a superb equaliser as Celtic recovered from a Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal to earn a Champions League point at home to an impressive Club Brugge.
A disastrous defensive mix-up led to Carter-Vickers knocking the ball past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while Brugge passed up several good chances before Maeda levelled on the hour.
A VAR offside went against visiting forward Ferran Jutgla and, while both sides had opportunities to win it, a point apiece seemed fair as Celtic finished strongly.
The result leaves Celtic on eight points, with the Belgians one behind in the table.
Next up for Celtic is a trip to Croatia to take on Dinamo Zagreb on 10 December followed by a home game with Young Boys and a visit to Aston Villa.
All the latest Celtic news & views
Brugge begin with a swagger
After their humbling at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on matchday two, Celtic had found their sea legs in this tournament with a gritty draw away to Atalanta and a classy display to sweep aside RB Leipzig in Glasgow.
The energy, control and attacking verve display against the Bundesliga side was all on show again – unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers it was all being displayed by a Brugge side who took control of proceedings in the first half.
The visitors had served notice of their quality by beating Aston Villa and they oozed confidence as they continually passed through and around the Celtic press, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Jutgla was lively throughout, asking questions of the Celtic defence, and the midfield duo of Hans Vanaken and Ardon Jashari were dictating the play as Celtic struggle to find a foothold in the match.
It was no surprise when they took the lead, but the manner of it certainly was.
Celtic attempted to play out with some high-risk passes, only for Carter-Vickers to lose his bearings, and sight of his goalkeeper, and pass the ball past Schmeichel and straight into his own net.
It was a calamitous way to concede and captain Callum McGregor gathered his men in a huddle – normally purely a pre-match ritual – to try and get their heads into a game that was passing them by.
Brugge passed up glorious chances to double their lead – Maxim De Cuyper and Andreas Skov Olsen being the chief culprits – and will feel a more clinical edge would have seen them depart with all three points.
Draw keeps Celtic in healthy position
Despite being second best in that opening period, Celtic still fashioned some decent openings, with Arne Engels blasting over from 10 yards after being teed up by Maeda.
While Brendan Rodgers’ side were at their scintillating best against Leipzig, this was a challenge of a different kind. They struggled for long spells to find their normal fluency.
The Scottish champions were missing a spark and it looked most likely to come from Nicolas Kuhn. One clever dink into the box narrowly evaded Kyogo, while another found the head of Reo Hatate, but he could only divert his effort straight at the keeper.
Maeda’s goal was a fleeting moment of class in a game in which the home side struggled to impose themselves.
The Japan international broke into the box and did brilliantly to chop back inside on his right foot and curl a lovely finish beyond Simon Mignolet and in off the post.
It was a wonderful goal and one that could prove crucial in the final shake-up.
Celtic started to turn the screw and it was they who were pushing late on for a winner, but to no avail.
While Celtic would have targeted three points from this one when the fixtures were released, Rodgers may well be satisfied with a point in the end.
With away fixtures in Zagreb and Villa Park either side of a home match against Young Boys, Celtic know their destiny is still in their own hands as they aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2013.
‘On course for where we want to get to’
“I can only credit the players for the second half, because we had to fight,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
“We’re still one of those teams that’s really pushing to try and make a mark at this level, so to make the comeback, score the goal, play with that courage, I was so pleased.
“You want to win but I’ve been here enough times to have lost a game like that. We showed a real strong mentality and we kept pushing right to the very end.
“We weren’t at our level in the first half. Sometimes a game like that can get away from you, but it didn’t. We stayed with it, showed that determination, showed that mentality, never to quit, to keep going. And then we were much, much better, much freer in the second half.
“We’re on eight points, nine to play for. We’re still very much on course to get to where we want to get to and still three games to go.”
Match stats
Celtic are unbeaten in their last five Champions League home games (W3 D2), having lost eight of their previous nine at Celtic Park before this (D1).
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scored his third Champions League goal this season, the joint-most by a Japanese player in a single campaign (Daichi Kamada in 2022-23 and Shinji Kagawa in 2016-17).
Maeda’s three goals is the joint-most by a Celtic player in a single campaign, with Moussa Dembele the last player to do so for the club (2016-17).
Cameron Carter-Vickers became the first Celtic player to net an own goal in the Champions League since Jozo Simunovic against Anderlecht in December 2017.
Christos Tzolis created four chances, the joint-most on record (since 2003-04) for a Club Brugge player in a Champions League away game.
Live Reporting
Nick McPheat
ICYMI: Watch the best of the actionpublished at 22:40 Greenwich Mean Time
22:40 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Media caption,
Champions League: Daizen Maeda scores a ‘Magnificent’ goal to draw Celtic draw level
Media caption,
Champions League: ‘Absolute horror show’ as Celtic’s Carter-Vickers scores own goal
Media caption,
Champions League highlights: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
The Champions League highlights show is about to begin on BBC One Scotland. We’ll leave you to watch that.
You’ll also get more reaction, analysis and be able to give your views on our dedicated Celtic page.
Thanks for joining.
Celtic’s remaining fixturespublished at 22:36 Greenwich Mean Time
22:36 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
The 10-point mark will remain the aim for Celtic. Are you backing them to hit that in these final three games?
Dinamo Zagreb (A)
Young Boys (H)
Aston Villa (A)
‘We’re still in a really good place’ – Rodgerspublished at 22:32 Greenwich Mean Time
22:32 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells TNT Sports:”First half not so good, second half much better. You obviously want to win every game, but first half we were very passive in our pressing and you could see they are a good side.
“Second half, we adjusted a couple of things and we had a much better press, which allowed us to sustain attacks.
“It’s a brilliant finish from Daizen [Maeda]. We were much more courageous in the second half.
“So, so pleased with the second half. We kept going, showed determination right to the end. It’s a really good point against a good side and we’ll take that into our next game.
“We’re still in a really good place. We’re still well on track [to get into the play-off stage].”
A valuable point in the endpublished at 22:29 Greenwich Mean Time
22:29 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
This may well turn out to be a very valuable point for Celtic, despite their disappointment at not taking all three on home soil, with just one match left here at Parkhead before the knockout phase. That’s against pointless Young Boys in January.
A share of the spoils seems fair enough to me. Club Brugge are a very good side; pacey, inventive and well-organised. They clearly enjoyed a huge slice of good fortune with the Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal.
Celtic struggled to get anywhere near the heights of their performance against RB Leipzig but you have to put a lot of that down to the quality and discipline of their Belgian opponents. The home side scored a cracking goal and created a couple of other good chances but never did enough consistently across the 90 minutes to deserve the victory.
They now face a trip to Zagreb next month, before facing Young Boys and Aston Villa in January. They’ve not hit the 10-point mark they’ve targeted. Not yet. But I’ll be very surprised if they don’t burst through that barrier in the next couple of games.
It’s tough at the top in Europe’s elite competition. But once again Celtic have held their own and shown they can compete, and compete well.
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
‘Celtic can play better’published at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time
22:24 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
It was a real Champions League game, two good teams playing the right way.
Celtic can play better; I was really impressed with Club Brugge – they defended well as a unit in the second half.
‘It keeps us going in right direction’ – McGregorpublished at 22:20 Greenwich Mean Time
22:20 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Celtic captain Callum McGregor tells TNT Sports: “On balance, first half they edged it; second half we edged it – so probably a fair result. It keeps us in good shape.
“Both with the ball and without the ball, we were a bit late on the pressure. It took us a while to get to grips with the game, but we rectified that and then controlled the game.
“Everyone in the team makes mistakes at times and that’s fine. We’re asked to play a high-risk game.
“A little bit disappointed we didn’t manage to go win the game but it keeps us going in the right direction.”
CalmacImage source, SNS
Highlights: Maeda earns Celtic draw with Club Bruggepublished at 22:17 Greenwich Mean Time
22:17 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Media caption,
Champions League highlights: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
‘Maeda is top class’ – Schmeichelpublished at 22:13 Greenwich Mean Time
22:13 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel tells TNT Sports:”First half we didn’t get up to the tempo of the game. Half time we changed our press a little bit and it was better second half.
“[The own goal is] one of those things. I was showing for Nicolas [Kuhn], Cam [Carter-Vickers] gets pressed and he hasn’t heard me shout that I’m not in [goal].
“They were having a little bit too much time on the ball so it was important to get to half time and restructure.
“[Daizen Maeda is] a top-class player. To give that kind of output, that energy, after all the travel he’s been doing – it drives the team.
“There were chances for us to win tonight, but we’re reasonably happy.”
What do the stats say?published at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time
22:10 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Celtic turned possession back in their favour in the second half, although Brugge boasted a slightly better xG and shot tally.
Stats graphicImage source, SNS
Celtic still on course for knockoutspublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time
22:07 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
That point means Celtic are 20th in the 36-team table.
If the league phase ended now, they would go through to the play-off round in the knockout stage.
The Opta supercomputer reckons 10 points from eight games will be enough.
Celtic would need just two points from their last three games to guarantee that tally.
Watch: Calamitous Carter-Vickers own goalpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time
22:03 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Media caption,
Champions League: ‘Absolute horror show’ as Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers scores own goal
Watch: Maeda magic earns Celtic drawpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time
22:01 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Media caption,
Champions League: Daizen Maeda scores ‘magnificent’ goal to draw Celtic level
Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time
21:58 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
A graphic on our TV feed shows Cameron Carter-Vickers ranked top of the passing chart for this match.
One of those passes really didn’t go to plan. He responded well to that though.
Postpublished at 21:55 Greenwich Mean Time
21:55 GMT
FT: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Stick around to see the goals from this one.
We’ll publish the goals right here at 22:00 GMT.
So, in five minutes.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time
21:51 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
A draw feels a fair result for these sides, who both remain in healthy positions if they are to progress.
More on that later…
Celtic 1-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time
21:51 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
They take it quickly but Paulo Bernardo’s cross is cleared again.
Postpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time
21:51 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
But is there one last chance?
Celtic have a corner…
Postpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time
21:50 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
In it comes from Paulo Bernardo but it’s headed away and Brugge clear the follow-up.
Looks like this will end a point apiece…
Postpublished at 21:49 Greenwich Mean Time
21:49 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
James Forrest wins Celtic a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left.
Excellent play from the veteran winger and Joaquin Seys takes a yellow card.
Postpublished at 21:47 Greenwich Mean Time
21:47 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Four minutes added.
previous page
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LIVE stream page 2
Postpublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time
21:46 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Celtic win a corner and it results in another at the opposite side.
This one is pinged right on to the left boot of Reo Hatate, whose eyes light up but his volley is waaaay off target.
Postpublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time
21:45 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
A ball is clipped to the back post and James Forrest jumps for it.
It just clips the top of his head though.
Postpublished at 21:43 Greenwich Mean Time
21:43 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
An ambitious one from Romeo Vermant rolls into the arms of Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Postpublished at 21:41 Greenwich Mean Time
21:41 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
A professional foul from Paulo Bernardo, who hauls down Ardon Jashari in the Brugge half to halt a counter attack.
Postpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time
21:39 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
James Forrest looks to slide Reo Hatate into the left of the box but the Japan midfielder slips in the Brugge box.
Is there a late winner?published at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time
21:39 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Ten minutes to go. Plus change.
Celtic seem to be finding a bit more space now. Is there another goal in this one? Whoever gets it will fancy their chances of Champions League football beyond January.
In fairness, both of these sides are good enough to make the knock-out phase, on the evidence of their first five matches.
Postpublished at 21:35 Greenwich Mean Time
21:35 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
This second half has flown in!
Seventy-eight on the clock.
Postpublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time
21:34 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
That Daizen Maeda goal will live long in the memory of anyone who was here.
The Japan forward’s night is over.
Celtic 1-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time
21:33 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Another double Celtic switch.
Adam Idah and James Forrest are on for Kyogo and goalscorer Daizen Maeda.
‘Keeper rooted to spot’published at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time
21:33 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
If that was on target I don’t think Mignolet was getting it.
He’s rooted to the spot.
Postpublished at 21:32 Greenwich Mean Time
21:32 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Paulo Bernardo chops on to his right foot and it’s opened up for the substitute.
But he just rolls the ball wide of the left-hand post. So close.
VAR to the rescuepublished at 21:31 Greenwich Mean Time
21:31 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
The second-loudest roar of the night, the Celtic fans’ reaction to VAR ruling that second Brugge goal out.
You can’t escape the feeling that Celtic are living really dangerously at the moment.
Brugge have recovered well from the home side’s equaliser and have regained their composure. This is anyone’s game from here.
Celtic 1-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time
21:30 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
As you were, then. But that has to be a warning for Celtic.
Brugge haven’t really been fazed by that Daizen Maeda leveller. They’ve still moved the ball really well and continue to threaten.
DISALLOWED GOALpublished at 21:28 Greenwich Mean Time
21:28 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
But it’s offside!
A huge sigh of relief for Celtic.
goal
GOAL! Celtic 1-2 Club Bruggepublished at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time
21:27 GMT
Ferran Jutgla
It’s a bit messy from Celtic but Brugge shift the ball well in a tight space and Ferran Jutgla squeezes a finish past Kasper Schmeichel.
Club Brugge goal
Daizen delightpublished at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time
21:27 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Maeda shotImage source, SNS
Maeda celebImage source, SNS
Celtic Park transformedpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time
21:25 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
It’s like a different stadium now.
Celtic Park has been totally re-energised by that wonderful goal from Daizen Maeda.
Subdued and a bit edgy before the equaliser, the home fans are loud and raucous now as they sense their side can perhaps take more than just a point.
Postpublished at 21:25 Greenwich Mean Time
21:25 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
I don’t think I got the chance to tell you Arne Engels and Greg Taylor came off just before that Celtic goal.
Well, you know now. Alex Valle and Paulo Bernardo are on.
CLOSE!published at 21:22 Greenwich Mean Time
21:22 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kyogo clips the outside of the side netting with a shot he should hit the target with.
But the flag goes up anyway.
Postpublished at 21:21 Greenwich Mean Time
21:21 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Brugge are still swinging but the home crowd are right up for this now and there’s a spring in the step of their side.
This game is anyone’s.
Moment of magic from Maedapublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time
21:20 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Remember that moment of quality I was talking about? Man, has Daizen Maeda just provided it.
Seconds after being jeered by some fans for passing the ball back the way, he’s suddenly the hero of the hour as a huge roar of delight greets his deliciously curled equaliser.
Can that spark Celtic into life?
‘Keeper has no chance’published at 21:19 Greenwich Mean Time
21:19 GMT
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Well, that’s how to answer the crowd’s frustration.
He checks inside and the goalkeeper has absolutely no chance.
goal
GOAL! Celtic 1-1 Club Bruggepublished at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time
21:17 GMT
Daizen Maeda
What a goal!
The big games just bring out the best in Daizen Maeda.
The Japan forward chops in from the left and curls in a stunning finish.
Celtic goal
‘Should be two’published at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time
21:17 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
It should be two for Club Brugge.
Skov Olsen totally relaxes on it and it goes over the bar.
A real let-off for Celtic.
Postpublished at 21:17 Greenwich Mean Time
21:17 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Oh, that’s a much better chance for the Brugge winger.
Andreas Skov Olsen is free at the back post but plants his right-foot effort way over.
That’s a huge let-off for the hosts.
Postpublished at 21:16 Greenwich Mean Time
21:16 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
A Brugge corner is cleared but the follow-up ball finds Andreas Skov Olsen, who flicks a tame header into the arms of Kasper Schmeichel.
Bernardo warms uppublished at 21:14 Greenwich Mean Time
21:14 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has just sent Paulo Bernardo away for a wee warm-up.
I wonder if the Portuguese midfielder might be about to replace Arne Engels, who hasn’t been able to influence this match much.
Change of approach needed?published at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time
21:13 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
Hatate and Engels are right next to Kyogo at the minute.
If one of them can drop off, it might draw Club Brugge out and create some space.
Postpublished at 21:12 Greenwich Mean Time
21:12 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Outrageous touch and skill from Brugge winger Christos Tzolis out wide on the left but the attack breaks down.
Celtic trying to get footholdpublished at 21:09 Greenwich Mean Time
21:09 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
There’s more energy about Celtic since the break.
Pressing their opponents into a couple of errors. Patiently probing for a way to cut through a very well organised, disciplined Brugge side.
If Celtic are to take anything from this match, they’re going to have to play extremely well for the next 40 minutes.
CLOSE!published at 21:07 Greenwich Mean Time
21:07 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
The closest Celtic have come to a leveller.
Reo Hatate pings one with his left foot from 20 yards but it sails just past the far post.
Good effort.
GREAT SAVE!published at 21:05 Greenwich Mean Time
21:05 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
What a goal that would’ve been.
Brugge cut through Celtic from front to back with lovely one and two-touch passing, before Maxim de Cuyper forces Kasper Schmeichel to tip round the post.
Electric stuff from the away side and a fine save.
Schmeichel saveImage source, PA Media
KICK-OFFpublished at 21:02 Greenwich Mean Time
21:02 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Away we go again.
‘Celtic struggling in midfield’published at 21:01 Greenwich Mean Time
21:01 GMT
HT: Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
Club Brugge are a brave side, with real speed.
Tzolis and Skov Olsen come narrow which occupies the entire Celtic backline.
Celtic can’t deal with the make-up of the Brugge midfield. Having said that, Celtic have had the two best chances.
Celtic 0-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
‘Brugge are exploiting space’published at 20:59 Greenwich Mean Time
20:59 GMT
HT: Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Club Brugge are a good team. They have a way of playing – their movement up front is really good and their full-backs push on.
They are exploiting the space in the middle of the pitch.
Postpublished at 20:57 Greenwich Mean Time
20:57 GMT
HT: Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Brugge are actually a goal up without having a shot on target.
Not often you see that.
What do the stats say?published at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time
20:53 GMT
HT: Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
The stats show Celtic have held their own in the first half, but that doesn’t account for the scarcely believable Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal.
HT stats graphicImage source, SNS
Brugge better all over the parkpublished at 20:50 Greenwich Mean Time
20:50 GMT
HT: Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Celtic will be looking for much, much better after the break.
Even though Brugge are ahead thanks to a freakish own goal, their lead is totally deserved. They’ve been by far the better side.
Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda, two of Celtic’s brightest players so far this season, have been very well marshalled thus far by full-backs Maxim de Cuyper and Joachin Seys.
Celtic’s midfield hasn’t really been able to get on the ball much either. Brugge have been excellent all over the park. Celtic have not.
That can all change in a moment, of course. The home side needs a moment of quality. Badly.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time
20:46 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
A calamitous Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal is the difference between the sides.
Club Brugge probably deserve to ahead anyway.
Much to improve on for Celtic.
Celtic 0-1 Club BruggeImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 20:46 Greenwich Mean Time
20:46 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Andreas Skov Olsen now needs to get treatment right in front of the home fans after all of that.
Expect an earful or two…
LIVE stream page 4
ouch!
Ouch!published at 20:44 Greenwich Mean Time
20:44 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Play is stopped with Celtic on the ball as Brugge winger Andreas Skov Olsen is down with shoulder issue.
The home fans ain’t happy.
Postpublished at 20:42 Greenwich Mean Time
20:42 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Nicolas Kuhn seems to glide with the ball across the edge of the box for an eternity.
He’s looking for a yard of space to get a shot away but it doesn’t come.
Carter-Vickers calamitypublished at 20:41 Greenwich Mean Time
20:41 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
CCV passImage source, SNS
Brugge celebImage source, SNS
CCV dejectedImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 20:40 Greenwich Mean Time
20:40 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
The possession stats have evened out a bit as we head towards the break but Celtic are yet to create anything clear-cut.
Brugge have been impressive.
Postpublished at 20:37 Greenwich Mean Time
20:37 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
For the first time in the game Celtic seem to be gaining territory and decent spells on the ball.
This particular move ends with Reo Hatate attempting a diving header.
He doesn’t get much on it and Simon Mignolet claims easily.
Postpublished at 20:35 Greenwich Mean Time
20:35 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Celtic have now conceded seven first-half goals in five games, only Young Boys (11) and Red Star Belgrade (eight) have conceded more in the 2024-25 Champions League.
Can Celtic repeat Leipzig comeback?published at 20:33 Greenwich Mean Time
20:33 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
They lost the first goal in their last Champions League match here only to roar back and reply with three.
Can Celtic do as they did against RB Leipzig against a very tidy-looking Brugge?
Postpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time
20:31 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
That huge error has, in a roundabout way, given the home crowd a lift.
They are giving their team huge encouragement now as they show more intensity.
A quick throw finds Nicolas Kuhn and he tries to drag one across goal but it’s blocked.
Another viral moment for Brugge?published at 20:30 Greenwich Mean Time
20:30 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
There was the Tyrone Mings moment of madness when he picked up the ball and gave Club Brugge a penalty in their last match.
Now the Belgians have watched on in absolute delight as Cameron Carter-Vickers rolls the ball to where he assumed Kasper Schmeichel to be, only to see it roll into the corner of an empty net.
In fairness to the visitors, they deserve to be ahead.
CCVImage source, Getty Images
‘Terrible error’published at 20:28 Greenwich Mean Time
20:28 GMT
Celtic 0-1 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
That’s a terrible mistake.
It comes from Club Brugge’s pressure, and Carter-Vickers blindly passes thinking Schmeichel will be behind him.
Brugge goalImage source, SNS
goal
GOAL! Celtic 0-1 Club Bruggepublished at 20:26 Greenwich Mean Time
20:26 GMT
Cameron Carter-Vickers (own goal)
Oh my word.
I said it felt like a goal was coming for Brugge, but not like that!
Cameron Carter-Vickers inexplicably passes the ball straight into his own net.
A calamitous bit of play from the centre-back, who is looking for his goalkeeper but gets it all wrong.
Club Brugge goal
CLOSE!published at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time
20:25 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
It feels like a Brugge goal is coming if Celtic don’t wake up soon.
Andreas Skov Olsen drops a shoulder and curls one to the far post and it’s not far away at all.
Postpublished at 20:24 Greenwich Mean Time
20:24 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
For a second it looks like Ferran Jutgla is in but he can’t squeeze between Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston.
Some Brugge players want a penalty for that as there doesn’t look to be much contact on the ball.
Play on. Looked outside the box anyway.
Rodgers on the prowlpublished at 20:22 Greenwich Mean Time
20:22 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Hands in coat pockets, eyes firmly fixed on the ground, Brendan Rodgers prowls around his technical area.
He can’t be too happy with the way his side has started this one. Penned in and sloppy with any possession they’ve had.
Early days however.
RodgersImage source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 20:21 Greenwich Mean Time
20:21 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Passes in the opposition half?
Brugge: 64
Celtic: 19
Postpublished at 20:20 Greenwich Mean Time
20:20 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Brugge win themselves a corner and it meets Ferran Jutgla.
But it sort of comes off the Spanish striker’s back and spins over.
Postpublished at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time
20:17 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
A lightning counter from Brugge ends with Joaquin Seys looking to slip one into the box, but the pass is a little bit too heavy.
Maeda v Seys: round onepublished at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time
20:16 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
There was a straight race there between Celtic’s Daizen Maeda and Brugge’s Joaquin Seys.
The Japanese forward scorched past him. A tussle to watch as the evening unfolds.
Signs that Celtic are settling.
‘Celtic need to adapt’published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time
20:14 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
Celtic need to adapt to what Club Brugge are doing in order to get control themselves.
Postpublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time
20:14 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Daizen Maeda comes to life, burns his man for pace, and pulls one into the box for Arne Engels.
But the Celtic midfielder slashes at it and it’s way off target.
Better though from the hosts.
LIVE stream page 5
Postpublished at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time
20:13 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Brugge have had 60% of the ball in the opening 12 minutes.
Postpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time
20:12 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
It’s worth saying that Celtic had to suffer for a spell at the start of the Leipzig game earlier this month.
The Bundesliga side actually took the lead before the Scottish champions roared back with three goals.
It’s all gone a little flatpublished at 20:11 Greenwich Mean Time
20:11 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
The big time, big match atmosphere at kick-off has evaporated somewhat.
Club Brugge have started far better than their hosts and the fans around me are a little edgy.
They’re looking for something to energise them.
Can Celtic get forward to trouble a Belgian rear-guard which has had nothing to do in these early stages?
Postpublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time
20:09 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Celtic’s pressing has been measured so far.
They seem to be standing off most of the time.
‘Impressive Brugge start’published at 20:08 Greenwich Mean Time
20:08 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
I’m impressed with how Club Brugge have started.
They have quietened the crowd down and have been good on the ball.
Postpublished at 20:07 Greenwich Mean Time
20:07 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Celtic are having to suffer a bit as Andreas Skov Olsen watches a deflected shot go behind.
The hosts then deal with the corner.
Schmeichel given the treatmentpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time
20:06 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
A big round of booing for the Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel as he clears the ball.
The former Anderlecht player is not particularly popular with the rather vocal travelling support from Club Brugge.
No wonder they’re in good voice. Their side have started well and have spent the first few minutes in Celtic’s half.
CLOSE!published at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time
20:05 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Ferran Jutgla looks lively.
Celtic give up the ball in a dangerous spot and the Brugge striker lets fly from the edge of the box, but it curls just off target.
Postpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time
20:04 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Celtic progress the ball through the thirds with intensity, but Reo Hatate can’t poke one through to Daizen Maeda.
Both teams look comfortable, and fearless, in possession in these early exchanges.
HatateImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time
20:02 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
Impressive defensive work from Arne Engels early on.
The Celtic man puts Ferran Jutgla under pressure in the home box and marshals the striker out of play.
‘Expectation has risen’published at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time
20:01 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
The manner in which Celtic are getting results is the impressive part.
The expectation levels have risen, but you still have to play with energy.
KICK-OFFpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time
20:00 GMT
Celtic 0-0 Club Brugge
We. Are. Go.
HuddleImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 19:58 Greenwich Mean Time
19:58 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Now the players are out and here comes that roar to drown out the Champions League anthem…
Postpublished at 19:58 Greenwich Mean Time
19:58 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
To the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the lights dim, the Celtic and Club Brugge fans raise their scarves above their heads and, for probably the only time tonight, the entire stadium is in unison.
Quite something to witness.
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
Postpublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time
19:55 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
The disco lights are racking up the leccy bill at Celtic Park as the fans provide the soundtrack with a deafening rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
The players will be out any minute now…
Who’s the referee?published at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time
19:54 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Georgi Kabakov of Bulgaria.
He took charge of Aston Villa’s win over Young Boys in this year’s competition and has given out 57 yellows and one red in last nine games.
Noise starting to buildpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time
19:52 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
Celtic Park is filling up, the Club Brugge support is in full voice and the home fans, in particular the Green Brigade in the corner, respond in kind as both sides head off the pitch after their respective warm-ups.
Nearly there…published at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time
19:48 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
‘Consistency the challenge for Celtic in Europe’published at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time
19:45 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells TNT Sports: “We’ve got a lot of games and will need the guys coming off the bench.
“The challenge [for Celtic in Europe] is that consistency. We’ve created a nice template now at this level, but we still have to put the work in. I’m really looking forward to tonight – another game at home.
“Club Brugge are a very well organised and well coached team. A big area for us defensively is pressing and counter-pressing, because they can break out really well.
“That then allows us to take the ball and play with the speed we would like to.”
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Brugge urged to ’embrace’ Celtic Park noisepublished at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time
19:42 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland
In his own pre-match press conference, Brendan Rodgers spoke about harnessing “the power of Celtic Park”.
Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen has told his side to “embrace” the frenzied Parkhead atmosphere.
“I heard from people that the expectations here are really big and that the atmosphere will be crazy and that they are waiting for us,” he said.
“These are the games you want to play as a player and we just have to stay calm, embrace all these feelings and just perform on the pitch.
“I don’t think it will be a really closed game. It will be open and let’s hope it will be an exciting evening.”
Reminder of the teams…published at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time
19:39 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Celtic XI
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.
Substitutes: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Bernardo, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh.
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, Jashari, Onyedika, Vanaken, De Cuyper, Olsen, Jutgla, Tzolis.
Substitutes: Jackers, Romero, Vetlesen, Vermant, Skoras, Nielsen, Spileers, Sabbe, Talbi.
Club Brugge XI
Pick of the statspublished at 19:35 Greenwich Mean Time
19:35 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
This is the first ever meeting between Celtic and Club Brugge. Celtic’s eight previous meetings with Belgian opposition have been against KAA Gent (W1 L1), Germinal Ekeren (W1 D1) and Anderlecht (W2 L2).
Celtic have won two of their four matches in this season’s Champions League (D1 L1), as many as they won in their previous four campaigns combined (W2 D6 L16). They last won three games in a single season back in 2012-13.
Club Brugge have only scored four goals in their last nine Champions League matches, but two of those goals have resulted in 1-0 wins, beating Sturm Graz on matchday two and Aston Villa on matchday four this season.
Celtic have scored nine goals in four Champions League games this term, their joint most in a single season along with 2012-13. They last netted more in a European Cup campaign back in 1977-78 (13).
Since the start of 2022-23, only Inter Milan (64%) have kept a clean sheet in a higher percentage of Champions League games than Club Brugge (58%), among teams to feature in more than one season.
Arne Engles has three assists in his four Champions League appearances this season, the joint most by a Celtic player in a season along with Charlie Mulgrew in 2012-13 and Matt O’Riley in 2023-24. The only Belgian player with more in a season is Kevin De Bruyne.
‘Brugge could be in for difficult evening’published at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time
19:32 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Scott Coyne
Belgian football expert on BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast
Club Brugge warm-upImage source, SNS
I’m sure Celtic looked at this fixture and thought, we’re right in this one.
Especially with it being a home tie. I think that that takes the balance very much in Celtic’s favour.
European nights at Celtic Park, we’ve seen very big elite sides come into that environment and really struggle and I think Club Bruges are going to enjoy coming to that environment and playing.
I think they have to really veer away from the slight cautiousness they’ve approached away games with if they’re going to get anything in this game.
They’re going to need to take some risks and really try and have a go at Celtic rather than trying to feel their way into the game.
I think if they let Celtic set the tempo early then I think they could have quite a difficult evening.
What shape are Club Brugge in?published at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time
19:28 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Club Brugge fanImage source, SNS
The Belgian champions are unbeaten in six games, winning five, in all competitions since a 3-1 loss to AC Milan in October.
Domestically they are six points off leaders Genk after 15 games. They have won four of the last five top-flight titles but are closer to sixth than first this term.
In the Champions League they are currently 23rd after two wins over Sturm Graz and Aston Villa and two defeats against Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
After tonight, their final three European games are tough ones – Sporting (H); Juventus (H); Man City (A) – which emphasises how important this evening’s game is.
‘World class basics’published at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time
19:24 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
TNT Sports have just been showing some footage of the Celtic dressing room.
There’s a big message on the wall saying ‘world class basics’.
If Jake Humphrey is watching somewhere, he will have a smile on his face.
Belgians trolling alreadypublished at 19:22 Greenwich Mean Time
19:22 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Celtic Park
A chant I wasn’t necessarily expecting to hear at Parkhead this evening: ‘We love the Rangers, we do.’
Several thousand noisy Belgians are making their presence felt, at the wind-up straight away.
Their only issue? Hardly any Celtic fans are in the ground to hear them, with the home supporters only getting access to the stadium now. The visitors were escorted in a while back.
Cymru Premier to Champions Leaguepublished at 19:17 Greenwich Mean Time
19:17 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Nicky HayenImage source, SNS
Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen has had quite the journey.
Appointed in March after ex-Celtic manger Ronny Deila was sacked, the 44-year-old won the league and defeated PAOK in the Conference League last eight before losing to Fiorentina in the semis.
Hayen had stepped up from Club NXT, Brugge’s B team. But just two years ago he managed Haverford West County in the Welsh Premier Division, keeping them up.
Now he’s in the Champions League. Storybook stuff.
How many points are needed?published at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time
19:13 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
But why is the 10-point mark so significant? Well, with the help of a supercomputer we have a rough idea.
An Opta simulation, run 50,000 times, says 10 points gives a 99% chance of finishing in the top 24. That drops to 69% at nine points and falls way down to 16% at eight points.
A victory tonight and Celtic could be dreaming of a top-eight place.
Sixteen points (98%) should be good enough for that, as could 15 (73%).
‘It’s us against ourselves now’published at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time
19:10 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland
Cameron Carter-VickersImage source, SNS
Ten is the magic number for Cameron Carter-Vickers, or thereabouts.
Celtic go into tonight’s game on seven points and know a win would take them into double figures.
“Right at the beginning of this competition we outlined how many points we wanted to reach, but we’ve just been taking it game by game,” said the US defender.
“It was around 10. It’s about adding to that tally and seeing how many we can achieve. We feel as a group we’re now close to getting out of this league phase.
“There are still four games and we want to get positive results in all of them. It’s us against ourselves now in terms of seeing how many we get.”
Postpublished at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time
19:06 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
And what do we think of the get-up the visitors are turning up in?
I’ve just done a quick search and one of those BALR x Club Brugge jackets would set you back £362.
One to add to your list for Santa?
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)Image source, SNS
Liverpool reunionpublished at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time
19:03 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
A familiar face to Brendan Rodgers – and many watching at home and in the ground tonight – is Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The 36-year-old signed for Liverpool when Rodgers was manager of the Anfield side.
The experienced keeper starts in goal for the visitors this evening.
Club Brugge XI: Mignolet, Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, Jashari, Onyedika, Vanaken, De Cuyper, Olsen, Jutgla, Tzolis.
Simon MignoletImage source, SNS
‘Celtic’s evolution fascinating’published at 19:01 Greenwich Mean Time
19:01 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
It’s been fascinating watching Celtic evolve in this competition and I’m expecting them to improve again tonight.
‘Failure is part of the journey’published at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time
18:55 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland
Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Fifteen games into the Pro League campaign, Club Brugge are six points behind leaders Genk.
The visitors warmed up for their trip to Glasgow with a 7-0 win against Sint-Truidense, with Greek striker Christos Tzolis, who starts tonight, scoring four.
“This will be another big examination for us,” said Rodgers. “Brugge have some fantastic players and a very good coach. They are organised and their frontline is fast and dynamic.”
Meanwhile, Celtic’s only loss across 19 matches in all competitions this season was the 7-1 hammering away to Borussia Dortmund on matchday two of the Champions League.
“Failure is a part of the journey,” said Rodgers of that sobering result, pointing to a “trampoline effect” from the trouncing, adding: “It can bounce you back higher.
“We’ve won 16 games, drawn two and lost one to the Champions League finalists, so that tells me the mentality is there.”
Rodgers names unchanged sidepublished at 18:51 Greenwich Mean Time
18:51 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
As many expected, manager Brendan Rodgers names an unchanged side following the 4-1 win at Hearts on Saturday night.
It is also the same team that started in the statement victory over RB Leipzig last time out in the Champions League.
That means Auston Trusty continues to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defence.
Happy with that side, Celtic fans?
Auston TrustyImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Centre-back Trusty keeps his place in the Celtic XI
Celtic XI to face Bruggepublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time
18:47 GMTBreaking
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Celtic XI: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, Engels, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.
Listen live: Sportsoundpublished at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time
18:43 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
BBC Radio Scotland Extra
Sportsound is already under way on BBC Radio Scotland Extra.
Thomas Duncan will provide live match commentary from 20:00 GMT, with ex-Celtic keeper Pat Bonner and former Scotland forward James McFadden on analysis duties.
You can also listen along by clicking the big button at the top of this page.
‘Another chance to show Celtic Park’s power’published at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time
18:38 GMT
Celtic v Club Brugge (20:00)
Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
Another Champions League night in Glasgow’s east end – and “another opportunity to show the power of Celtic Park,” in the eyes of manager Brendan Rodgers.
Club Brugge are next in line to feel the force of Parkhead. How will the Belgian champions handle it?
We’re expecting team news shortly…