'Immense' Celtic prove they belong among Champions League elite as fans fall in love all over again – big match verdict

There was pain in the end. But there was also a heck of a lot of pride.

Celtic might have exited the Champions League in Munich on Tuesday night but they also achieved something that couldn’t be measured in pounds and pence. Brendan Rodgers’ men produced the kind of epic display that proved the club belongs at this level. That they can not just mix it with the very best – they can go toe-to-toe and take them all the way. Yes it was heartbreaking how it finished. It was beyond cruel. Absolute agony – and undeserved.

Celtic walked out of the Allianz Arena with their hearts broken but their heads held high – but, incredibly, with a feeling they let Bayern Munich off the hook. Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn produced a moment of magic that will live long in the memories of fans who braved the sub-zero conditions, high in the stands.

But it was the ones that got away that’ll hurt the most. Celtic could have been streets ahead by half-time – with four massive opportunities. But it would be hard to find fault with anything they did here in Bavaria. This was an outstanding performance.

To a man Celtic were simply immense. It’s better to have loved and lost and all that – and Hoops fans loved this display. Their team were out on their feet at the end but it took Bayern to the very last kick of the ball to get them out of deep trouble.

Alistair Johnston’s Canada pal Alphonso Davies bundled over the line to leave Celts sickened. They just had nothing left to give at that stage. But even in agony, this was a game and a campaign where this side came of age.

Rodgers got his tactics bang on again and punters will be counting down the days until their next crack. Harry Kane was there after all. Vincent Kompany tried to muddy the waters