Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expresses Celtic ‘surprise’ and raises one question ahead of Bayern Munich tie

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Celtic Park is going to be rocking like never before on Wednesday night.

Bayern Munich are in town and the Bundesliga leaders are hoping to end Brendan Rodgers’ unbeaten home run this season.

Over the weekend, Celtic beat Raith Rovers to progress in the Scottish Cup, but it’s fair to say that knockout football in the Champions League is a different animal altogether.

Before the Bayern players could even land in Glasgow, the news dropped that Daizen Maeda will be available for Celtic after the club won an appeal to reduce his two-match ban after he got sent off against Young Boys during the league phase.

It provides the Scottish champions with a boost that they can cause an upset here because Vincent Kompany’s side are favourites.

The 2025 Champions League final will take place in Munich, so it’s added pressure for the German club to ensure they reach Europe’s biggest stage on their home turf.

But they have to see past the tricky test of Celtic first.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge unsure what to expect from Celtic

Celtic’s best and worst performances in the Champions League this season have come against German opposition.

No wonder Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is confused and questioning what on earth will happen when Bayern take to the Parkhead turf.

That Borussia Dortmund horror show on match week two was a pure nightmare, but then Celtic beat RB Leipzig on home soil in a display of high, high quality.

That’s why German legend Rummenigge labelled the Bhoys as the ‘surprise package’ and questioned which of the above teams will turn up, as he told Bild.

“They are a bit of a surprise package, winning 3-1 at home against Leipzig and losing 1-7 in Dortmund, which of these was their standard performance?” said Rummenigge.

“I’ve already experienced a few games in Glasgow, Celtic Park is a cauldron.

“Nevertheless, if we have the ambition to reach the final at home, progressing against Celtic is a must. Anything else would be a huge disappointment.”

Will the real Celtic please stand up?

There has been an improvement on the road since that Dortmund mauling, but it doesn’t hide the fact that Celtic were on the end of a hiding this season.

The great thing is that the reaction has been outstanding, progress has been made and it’s perhaps an indicator that the real Celtic is the one that beat RB Leipzig.

Either way, the home form of the champions should be a comfort that Bayern will have to perform out of their skin to win this game.