Celtic aren’t in this season’s Champions League, after making a meal of it in August.
But it’s interesting to see how Club Brugge, who knocked Rangers out of the qualifiers, are getting on because their manager has been linked to the Celtic gig.
Given the strong start from Martin O’Neill, Celtic aren’t in any rush to bring in a new face, but Nicky Hayen’s name has popped up amid the stellar job he has done at the Belgian side.
On Wednesday night, during another absorbing, enthralling and action-packed Champions League night, Brugge were involved in a six-goal thriller against Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
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Hansi Flick on how Nicky Hayen’s Club Brugge played
If Celtic can manage to lure Hayen to Glasgow, then how he plays is going to be huge to the success of the champions of Scotland.
Everyone is aware of Barcelona’s risky highline and their all-action forward line. But despite Barca netting three goals, they could only manage a draw against Brugge.
Hayen’s men took the lead twice, including going 3-1 ahead, and Romeo Vermant harshly had a stoppage-time winner disallowed because of a foul.
After the match, Flick explained how there was a ‘positive sense of aggression’ to the way Hayen and his Club Brugge side played.
“We created several chances,” Flick told his presser, as posted by Barca Universal. “But to be honest, they played really well.
“Defended in an excellent way, and were aggressive. But in the positive sense of aggression.”
Hayen’s record in the Champions League
UEFA revamping their format suits teams like Celtic and Club Brugge, it’s just a shame that the Hoops are sitting in the Europa League instead of the main competition.
Nonetheless, Celtic fans are well aware of how difficult it is to compete in Europe’s elite competition.
But despite Club Brugge losing a host of players in the summer, they dealt with their situation well, unlike Celtic, and are on course for a play-off finish. They are currently 22nd after four matches.
Overall, this is how Hayen’s record in the Champions League looks:
- Games: 16
- Wins: 6
- Draws: 3
- Defeats: 7
- Goals scored: 21
- Goals conceded: 29
- Points Per Game: 1.31
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