UEFA Champions League/ Celtic 0; Bayern Munich 0: Tension as great as this should not be inconclusive, but Celtic take their attempt to reach the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time into the last fixture.
There was to be no relief in Glasgow last night despite a valiant performance from Martin O'Neill's team. Bayern Munich, who had more to lose than Celtic, proved their durability in the face of sustained Celtic attacking, particularly in a vibrant first half. But for all the flashes of inspiration from Henrik Larsson Celtic were limited to a couple of genuine scoring chances.
Yet the good news came from Brussels where Anderlecht's victory left Celtic top of an intense group. That means that Celtic need to draw rather win in Lyon in a fortnight. It will not be easy, and Celtic will be missing Alan Thompson, who was booked again and is now suspended.
But if ever there was a green carrot, this is it.
Not that Celtic required extra motivation for a fixture of this importance. The scale may have partially explained O'Neill's decision to leave the 22-year-old Liam Miller on the bench and play John Hartson alongside Larsson up front instead.
In an exuberant opening from Celtic that decision looked a good one as Hartson linked with Larsson, who from his first silky touch in the second minute suggested he was going to deliver something special. An 18th-minute Larsson run past three Bayern defenders and then a shot from 18 yards would have been unforgettable had Oliver Kahn not got his mighty hands in the way.
At 34 years of age Kahn had already been forced by Larsson to prove his enduring agility with a sprawling save to tip away the Swede's sharp free-kick five minutes earlier.
Celtic were flowing. In midfield, Neil Lennon and Stilian Petrov were keeping it short and sweet, while from the wings Alan Thompson and Didier Agathe gave width and commitment. It was a blend that had the German champions worried. All it lacked was end product.
Six minutes before the interval it seemed, however, that Hartson was about to spread some delicious icing. As he climbed to meet another Thompson corner, Hartson prepared to meet it five yards out and with Kahn floundering. The Welshman got his header on target only for Owen Hargreaves to come to Kahn's rescue and knock the ball clear.
It was almost all Celtic, but almost is a dangerous word in football. Bayern have fine individuals and one of them, Michael Ballack, reminded everyone of the seriousness of Munich's intent. Collecting a throw-in on 24 minutes, Ballack sent a dipping volley toward Magnus Hedman forcing an anxious tip over.
Yellow cards for three of the visitors' back four in the space of six minutes at the start of the second half told of continuing Celtic pressure. But the Germans are not stupid - the one not booked, Robert Kovac, was the only one already on yellow.
The contrast with Thompson came soon after when he saw yellow for a foul on Hasan Salihamidzic. Sadly for Thompson he was correcting an Agathe error at the time.
Agathe, with strained hamstring, then made way for Miller and Celtic built again. Chris Sutton hit the side-netting with a header and Hartson had a shot well blocked by Kovac.
The tension continues.
Guardian Service
CELTIC: Hedman, Varga, Balde, McNamara, Agathe (Miller 63), Lennon, Petrov, Sutton, Thompson, Larsson, Hartson (Sylla 86). Subs Not Used: Douglas, Gray, Valgaeren, Maloney, Mjallby. Booked: Thompson.
BAYERN MUNICH: Kahn, Sagnol, Kuffour, Kovac, Lizarazu, Salihamidzic, Jeremies, Ballack, Hargreaves, Makaay, Santa Cruz (Pizarro 73). Subs Not Used: Rensing, Demichelis, Rau, Linke, Schweinsteiger, Ze Roberto. Booked: Sagnol, Kuffour, Lizarazu, Kahn.
Referee: Rene Temmink (Holland).
