Gary Lineker has praised Celtic’s impressive Champions League run, noting their strong position in the group as they sit above Real Madrid after five matches. The Hoops have secured two wins, two draws, and suffered just one defeat, giving them a real chance to reach the knockout stages for the first time in over a decade.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker said Celtic’s position was something few would have predicted at this stage. “They came back, they’re above Real Madrid. I bet you never thought we’d say that after five games,”
Celtic’s campaign hasn’t been without its challenges, with Lineker pointing out the frustration of dropping points at home to Club Brugge. He also highlighted the comical own goal by Cameron Carter-Vickers that caught everyone off guard. “Did you see the own goal, Celtic? Oh, my goodness, Carter-Vickers. That is one of those where he just rolled it back, ‘Oh, where’s the keeper gone? Oh, dear’,” Lineker added.
Despite moments like that, the pundit believes Celtic remain well-placed to advance. The Bhoys face Croatia Zagreb away, Young Boys at home, and Aston Villa away in their final three group games. Three more points should be enough to see them through, though fans will be hoping for an even stronger finish.
Celtic’s strong performances under Brendan Rodgers have drawn attention across Europe, and as Lineker summed up, “Celtic could be one of those [teams] to make it through.”
“The next game is the Dinamo Zagreb away. Tough, but winnable. They’ve got Young Boys, the seventh game, which is certainly winnable, and then finish at Villa.
“We’ve said it a few times now, but this is a much, much better format than the group stays previously in the Champions League.
“Every game matters. Every single game, and I think that will be the case right to the end.”
