The dust is starting to settle following Celtic’s Champions League exit.
It was a cruel ending for Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic players as Bayern Munich left it late to end their European dreams.
The players had done the hard part by opening the scoring through Nicolas Kuhn and providing that perfect balance of when to attack and defend.
But then Alphonso Davies hit Celtic with a sucker punch that is still stinging to this day and will take time to recover.
Many felt that it wasn’t deserved the Celtic’s performance and fight in Munich was even lauded by those outside of the club’s colours.
Gary Lineker was one of many who wanted to give the champions of Scotland their flowers.
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers made two things clear to his Celtic players after defeat to Bayern Munich
Gary Lineker felt sorry for Brendan Rodgers and Kasper Schmeichel after Celtic’s Champions League heartache
When Michael Olise delivered that cross, Kasper Schmeichel did very well to save Leon Goretzka’s initial header, but that’s when the luck fell Bayern’s way and the rebound into the path of Davies.
Gary Lineker admitted that he ‘felt’ for Celtic and they should hold their ‘heads proud’ for how they battled right until the end in Bavaria.
The former striker also explained on the Rest is Football how he felt sorry for the likes of Kasper and the Celtic manager.
“Oooh, I felt for Celtic, Brendan and Kasper,” said Lineker. “94th minute. I felt for Kasper as well because he made such a tremendous save.
“There was a lovely shot after the game, I don’t know whether you saw it, with Peter (Schmeichel) and Kasper in the tunnel.
“You could see him going, ‘oh God, man’. He kissed him on the head. It was really beautiful – they must have got edgy the Bayern fans because they would have expected to stroll through.
“Celtic can hold their heads proud.”
Celtic’s real test coming up
It’s easy getting yourself up for such a huge game, but now this same type of attitude has to be shown for the rest of the campaign.
Celtic are 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and they should cruise towards the finish here.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 26 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 76 | 12 | 64 | 69 |
| 2 |  RangersRangers | 26 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 54 | 20 | 34 | 56 |
| 3 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 38 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 37 |
| 5 |  HibernianHibernian | 26 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 34 |
| 6 |  St MirrenSt Mirren | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 31 |
Celtic take on Hibernian on Saturday afternoon at Easter Road, this isn’t the time to dwell on the past, but dismantle a rejuvenated David Gray team and push further clear.
And then it’s about Celtic securing another Treble because it is the team’s to lose given the situation they are in.
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