Hammer of the Scots has some hope for Celtic
Roman Bezjak will always be remembered as the man who sounded the death knell for Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
The Slovenian striker struck twice against Gordon Strachan’s men last Sunday, which left them able to do no better than force a draw on a night when a win was needed for a place in the play-offs.
However, as he considered his contribution to a qualifying drama spread across several hundred miles – Slovenia’s draw was also a huge help to the Republic of Ireland, who managed to book their Russian lifeline the following night – Bezjak was able to offer a crumb of consolation to several of the distraught visitors.
Leigh Griffiths and Celtic, he predicts, ought to have a puncher’s chance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
“Bayern are one of the best clubs in the world, everyone knows this,” said the 28-year-old, who is based in Germany with SV Darmstadt 98.
“Just now, though, they have some little problems, with results not all going the way they would want them to.
“A club of their stature is not used to being in the position of being a struggler. And because of that, they are a little under pressure now.
“They need positive results in the Bundesliga ( in which they presently trail their perennial rivals, Borussia Dortmund) and also in the Champions League.
“So I think this could be a plus for Celtic. They can pull off a surprise in Germany.
“Of course, football being football, it is also possible it will go against them.
“Certainly, I think Leigh Griffiths can be a danger to Bayern. Maybe the Celtic wingers, too, as much of their play seems to go through the wide areas.
“I mention Griffiths because, having seen him up close last Sunday, he is a good player, one who has already scored in this Champions League group campaign in Celtic’s 3- 0 win away to Anderlecht.
“He has really good movement.
“We saw it in particular when we played against Scotland in Glasgow, where he caused a lot of problems for our defence.
“And it was the same story in Ljubljana, where he scored a good goal against us and was always a threat.
“So he is a dangerous player for sure, one who will not be fazed by the occasion if a chance comes his way.
“It will be interesting to see how the game goes.”