Bayern Munich vs Celtic - Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes wary of Celtic threat

Posted Wednesday, October 18, 2017 by PA

Jupp Heynckes insists Bayern Munich will not underestimate Celtic as they look to kill off the Hoops' dreams of the Champions League last 16.

The veteran boss has been lured out of retirement following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian was axed after Bayern were beaten 3-0 by Paris St-Germain last month - a result which raised hopes at Parkhead that Brendan Rodgers' team might spring a surprise by snatching second in Group B from under the Germans' noses.

But Heynckes - who has twice won the competition as a boss and is now back for his fourth stint in charge of Bayern - is taking nothing granted as he looks to get Munich back on track.

Speaking at his final press conference ahead of Wednesday's Allianz Arena showdown, the 72-year-old said: "You can always lose a game in the Champions League, but FC Bayern have great ambitions. You cannot make the mistake of underestimating Celtic.

"They've won the league in Scotland six years in a row and last season drew with Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City in the group stages. They have a very good coach.

"They're powerful and aggressive. They're a very competitive team, so we need to be prepared."

Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic is out with a hamstring injury.

But there is good news for boss Rodgers with the return of skipper Scott Brown and fellow midfielder Stuart Armstrong from injury.

Midfielder Tom Rogic and right-back Mikael Lustig return after being rested for the game against Dundee at the weekend.

Rodgers is wary of the Bayern bounce following the return of Heynckes, who oversaw a 5-0 win over Freiburg in his first game back in charge at the weekend.

The former Swansea and Liverpool manager said: "They have obviously changed management and that has given them a little bit of a bounce effect.

"Just seeing the change from how they had been playing, on Saturday.

"You always look at players and how hard they work and how they press and certainly in Saturday's game Bayern Munich's counter press went to a different level to what they had been.

"So that is something that we will have to cope with.

"There were a couple of results that didn't go the way they wanted to. They were 2-0 up in two games, home and away, and got pegged back.

"Obviously the new manager came in for his first game at the weekend. He is someone who is respected throughout the club and a lot of players here know him very well, they know how he works.

"Sometimes you get that effect. How long it lasts, time will tell. But for us, however that effect is, we respect that we are playing against some fantastic players.

"No matter how your league form is, this is a competition that you want to do well in. So I think they will be motivated, they will want to press the game and show their qualities.

"We need to be resilient but we know that we can come away from home, play football and score goals and that is our intention."