Real or no Real, Ange won’t change his ways
Well, Callum McGregor got his wish. Real Madrid, the Champions League holders, are coming to Celtic Park.
It’s a mouthwatering tie, for sure. Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat Liverpool in the Final three months ago to win the tournament for the 14th time.
That’s an incredible amount of success since the first time they held the trophy aloft in 1956.
They won it at Hampden Park in 1960 when they defeated Eintracht Frankfurt, and again in 2002 when Zinedine Zidane scored that wonder goal against Bayer Leverkusen.
They’ve always had superstars in their side, and they have a few world-class players now, such as Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Thibaut Courtois.
But I’m certain Ange Postecoglou and his men will embrace the challenge.
You would expect Real Madrid to top the section, and for Celtic to battle it out with Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig for the right to finish runners-up.
I do not think there is anything for Celtic to fear.
It will be interesting to see how Ange sets out his team for these games.
He says he is not going to change his style, and I do not doubt him. If it’s what he believes in, then he is right to stick by it.
There are many quality players in the Parkhead team, and there is no doubt the likes of Jota, Kyogo, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and McGregor can hurt their opponents.
It’s also about keeping clean sheets, and they will have to be fully concentrated for 90 minutes.
Joe Hart will thrive on being back on the Champions League stage. He will be vital for the Hoops in all six games.
So will the Celtic supporters. The atmosphere will be incredible inside their own stadium.
But I think the best of the lot will come when they give a deserved warm welcome to the Shakhtar players and staff when the Ukrainian side visit Glasgow.