Bayern sail into last 16

GLASGOW: Javi Martinez grabbed a late winner as Bayern Munich booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 10th successive season on Tuesday with a 2-1 Group B win over Celtic in Glasgow.

The German champions took advantage of a Halloween horror show in the Celtic defence to take a 22nd-minute lead through Kingsley Coman.

The Hoops responded positively and Callum McGregor’s 74th-minute equaliser looked set to earn them a share of the points.

However, it took just over two minutes for Bayern to regain their lead with Martinez bravely heading home the winner that keeps them three points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, whose 5-0 thrashing of Anderlecht ended Celtic’s hopes of progressing from the group.

“We have to take into account the last few weeks and all the changes that have taken place,” said Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes, who took over from the sacked Carlo Ancelotti earlier this month.

“The trainer changed and we knew it would be difficult and challenging, but we must compliment our opponents.”

The Scottish champions remain favourites to clinch third spot and a Europa League place ahead of Anderlecht, who they host on matchday six, following their win in Belgium earlier in the campaign.

“The disappointment in the dressing room really shows how well we played,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“I was very proud of the team and the level of composure and quality that we played with and we caused them lots of problems.”

Bayern may have been missing Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller through injury, but Jupp Heynckes was still able to name on-loan Real Madrid star James Rodriguez and Arturo Vidal in the starting lineup. AFP