BAYERN TIE COULD HELP DARK BLUES
SCOTT BAIN says Dundee could cash in at Parkhead today – if Celtic have one eye on their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Dark Blues head for Glasgow’s East End today knowing it will take a huge effort to end the home side’s unbeaten domestic run.
Goalkeeper Bain is sure to be one of the busiest men inside Celtic Park as he aims to shut out the Hoops.
But the 25-year-old reckons Neil McCann’s men can take advantage should the champions let their attention drift towards their midweek trip to Germany.
Bain said: “I’ve been to Parkhead before and got a 0-0 draw so you can get something there.
“I hope the fact they have had internationalists away could be a factor. But everything is set up for players these days so they are as fresh as possible.
“We’re hoping it can give us a little edge but I’m sure Celtic know what to do to get their players ready.
“You hope to get them when their attention is elsewhere and they maybe take their eye off you a wee bit.
“You also need to be at your best and hope they are off the pace a wee bit to get something from the game.
“We’ll go there with a solid game plan and try to be difficult to beat because they have players who can hurt you in a second. It’s about concentration and being brave.
“Could Bayern Munich be a distraction? I hope so. I’m hoping they have one eye on them and one on us.
“However, they have shown since Brendan Rodgers came in that they are at it 100 per cent in every game.
“They have players who can do something magic in the blink of an eye, with pace and quality. It’s not just about me. The whole team has to be solid.
“These games are a good platform to play on, not just for a goalkeeper. Celtic are obviously at a very high level so you want to show where you are as a footballer.”
Bain is bracing himself for the threat of in-form Leigh Griffiths and hopes his previous experiences of keeping the Glasgow giants at bay in their own backyard can help his side.
He said: “I know Leigh a bit. We have some mutual friends and I’ve been in Scotland squads with him.
“His game has been different class since he went to Celtic. His hold-up play, runs and finishing are second to none.
“He’s a real threat and someone to watch carefully. He can punish you from free-kicks and shots out of nothing so I have to be on point the whole game.
“I had a couple of 0-0s before Rodgers took over, one at Dens Park and one at Celtic Park.
“It is possible but in those games we were at it 100 per cent and they were slightly off it.
“I wasn’t that busy in those games. I had a couple of good saves. I remember one from Charlie Mulgrew.
“When you go to Parkhead, the keeper needs to have a good game. It was a great feeling to get a clean sheet as I’ve also lost 6-0 and 7-0 there.
“But we’re confident going into this game. We feel we have players who are capable of executing our game plan.”