LOWDOWN ON CELTIC’S GROUP B OPPONENTS...
BAYERN MUNICH
Who are you? Simply the most successful side in the history of German football with 27 titles and five European Cups. Carlo Ancelotti took charge a year ago and guided them to a fifth straight title.
Star men? Where do you start? Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Arjen Robben. Or how about Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski (right) and Thomas Muller. Frightening strength in depth.
Any previous? Last meeting between the sides came in the group stage in 2003-04. Alan Thompson’s goal put Celtic ahead in the Olympic Stadium only for Roy Makaay to strike twice. The game in Glasgow ended in stalemate.
What are the chances? Since winning in 2013, Bayern have made the semi-final three times and the quarter-final last term. It will require something extraordinary if Celtic are to get in their way but strange things can happen at Parkhead on big nights.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Who are you? Only the richest club on Earth. Bankrolled by the pockets of Qatar Sports Investments, money is just not an object as they seek to land the biggest prize in club football. Managed by former Sevilla boss Unai Emery.
Star men? One name stands above all the rest — Neymar (main picture). All £198m of him. The supporting cast isn’t too bad though. Thiago Silva and Dani Alves are among a healthy Brazilian contingent. There’s also Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler.
Any previous? Back in 1995, PSG wiped the floor with Celtic — winning 1-0 in Paris and 3-0 in Glasgow. They went on to win the Cup Winners’ Cup that season, beating Rapid Vienna in the final.
What are the chances? As tough as it’s going to be, it’s worth remembering that PSG aren’t the French champions. Monaco are. They also collapsed in extraordinary fashion to Barcelona last year, losing 6-1 in Spain after winning 4-0 on home soil. But that was before Neymar was added to the equation.
ANDERLECHT
Who are you? Most successful Belgian team in history with 34 titles. Managed by Swiss Rene Weiler for the previous year. Won the title last year for the first time in three seasons. Star men? Nothing like the same household names as Bayern and PSG. Romanian pair Nicolae Stanciu and Alexandru Chipciu provide much of the invention in midfield. Algerian Sofiane Hanni (below) skippers the team in the No 10 role while the squad list also features former Celtic target Henry Onyekuru, who is on loan from Everton. Any previous? The sides last met in the 2003-04 group stage. Despite having skipper Glen De Boec sent off in the game in Brussels, Anderlecht prevailed through a Dindane Aruna goal. Celtic exacted revenge the following month in Glasgow, though, with Henrik Larsson, Liam Miller and Chris Sutton getting the goals in a 3-1 win. What are the chances? Made it to quarterfinals of Europa League last season when they lost to eventual winners Manchester United. Celtic will hope that their jousts can open the door to European football after Christmas — one way or the other.