Dare Celtic contemplate a 12-year Champions League first?

Andrew H ponders prior to tomorrows titanic tussle

It can feel like Celtic are leading a double life right now. On domestic dates, destructive daredevils whenever they are in the mood. A contrast to the most exacting European assignments, when, understandably, the mild-mannered can envelope them.

In the glorious gutting of Aberdeen in Saturday’s League Cup semi-final, six goals rained down across a mere 61 minutes. In their past 180 minutes of Champions League football, they have netted once. Even with the valiant, nay pretty darn spiffing, defensive display that earned them a monumental point courtesy of a shut-out away to Atalanta a fortnight ago, Brendan Rodgers’ men have coughed up eight goals across their three encounters in the continent’s elite competition. No need to set out precisely the source of seven of those…Meanwhile, you need to stretch back five months and 15 matches to tot up the same number of goals lost in the Scottish domain.

Frankly, Celtic are playing two different sports this season. And they are so commanding on the home front, and have acquitted themselves with such distinction in Europe - well, eh, a certain 7-1 blootering aside - it is impossible not see possibilities in tomorrow’s home hosting of RB Leipzig. A side sitting pointless in that ginormous 36-strong Champions League table following the opening three fixtures; four adrift of our club in 20th position. Rodgers’ side are in sufficiently good fettle to imagine, in the pressure-cooker atmosphere a capacity crowd will bubble up, that a result is possible.