Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s ‘huge’ Champions League reminder that Celtic must pay attention to

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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has sent Celtic a reminder of one thing that is going to feature heavily in the Champions League this season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have played two games so far in the competition and watched Celtic beat Slovan Bratislava 5-1 and suffer a 7-1 humiliation in Dortmund.

However, it seems that Rummenigge, who won the European Cup on two occasions in his career with Bayern Munich, has pinpointed one thing that is so important now in UEFA’s flagship tournament that has never been as crucial as it is now.

Dortmund’s seven goals against Celtic will play a ‘huge role’ in Champions League progression

Celtic’s big win over Bratislava wiped out an impressive plus four goal difference that Rodgers’ Celtic accumulated after matchday one.

And after sitting second in the league after that win, Celtic are now just five spots off of the elimination places with a goal difference of minus two and Rummenige has warned that that could end up being costly come the end of the league phase.

Rummenige told the Daily Record, “The old group phase was boring because after the fourth matchday, things were clear.

“Now it is more difficult, even for the good clubs, to qualify. I am convinced that the fans will gradually appreciate the new league phase more and more.

“You have to look at the goals scored, for example. Like us scoring nine goals against Dinamo Zagreb and Borussia Dortmund scoring seven goals against Celtic.

“Goals now play a huge role for the first time. The old group phase was usually very predictable. And the worst thing in football is boredom.”

Celtic’s current Champions League picture

Sitting 20th in the league, Celtic are still well on course to qualify despite that heavy defeat in Dortmund. With Atalanta up next, Rodgers will need to avoid another heavy away defeat against the Serie A side.

Celtic are only one point off automatic qualification but do need to win at least another three of their home fixtures to guarantee progression from the league phase for the first time since 2013.

Celtic’s record against Serie A clubs in Europe is not the best but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a chance that Rodgers could pull off a shock result in Bergamo.

If Rodgers can somehow nick a point or even avoid a heavy defeat, then that would leave Celtic in a great place heading into two winnable home games against RB Leipzig and Club Brugge.