Celtic must banish Bayern inferiority complex and one thing might just help them in Munich – Chris Sutton

Celtic have gained so much in the Champions League this season. Now it’s about losing the fear and making the next step of believing they belong against the very best.

Heading to Germany for Tuesday’s second-leg against Bayern Munich, Brendan Rodgers’ team simply have to banish the inferiority complex I sensed during the first hour of leg one. Perhaps the fact Celtic go into the contest at the Allianz Arena trailing in the tie might just help in that respect.

It'll have to because, as tough as it is, it’ll have to be shed if they are to have a serious chance of pulling off the shock. Now let’s get it right, this isn’t about criticism. Before uttering another word, it’s important to make it clear this is just an observation about what’s needed if Celtic are to keep making those steps forward at this level of competition.

Not just on Tuesday, but into next term and beyond against the elite. There has been so much to admire about Rodgers’ team in the Champions League this term and the way they have conducted their business on the park.

The way they have managed to play some lovely stuff against Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig, the resilience against Atalanta to get a clean sheet, another away point in Zagreb, the steel and courage to fight back against Bruges when being outgunned in the game. The tenacity to finally put away Young Boys at the death after it looked as if a major opportunity was going to be missed.

All of it progression and all of it done amid the backdrop of a manager being able to adapt. It was said by some in the wake of the crushing loss to Borussia Dortmund that Rodgers had no Plan B in Europe and that’s been proven wrong. Celtic held their shape against Bayern. They didn’t go gung-ho, they didn’t