Celtic’s Champions League journey this season has been a rollercoaster. They kicked off with an impressive 5-1 victory against Slovan Bratislava, a rare high-scoring European outing for the Hoops. This win initially placed them second in the group, trailing only Bayern Munich.
However, their subsequent trip to Germany brought them back down to earth. Facing Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, Celtic looked out of their depth, suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat. This stark contrast in results has left them in a playoff position.
While qualification for the next round remains achievable, Celtic must capitalize on their remaining winnable fixtures. One such opportunity comes against Dinamo Zagreb, but the Croatian side won’t be pushovers, especially with their rising star, Martin Baturina.
Dubbed the ‘next Luka Modric’, Baturina has caught the attention of his illustrious countryman. Modric praised the youngster’s potential, stating:
“Martin is on his way, he’s a great talent, that’s for sure. Now, it’s up to him to train and work hard. I believe one day he’ll be a key player for the national team, as I was. Or as I am. He has a lot of potential and quality. But it’s up to him. He has to improve every day and learn.”
Baturina’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with rumors linking him to giants like Real Madrid and Manchester United. This underscores the caliber of player Celtic will face, even in what’s considered a ‘winnable’ match. he Hoops will need to be vigilant to avoid a repeat of the Mykhailo Mudryk situation from a few years ago.
As Celtic navigates their remaining Champions League fixtures, they’ll need to strike a balance between ambition and caution, especially when facing talented opponents like Baturina and Dinamo Zagreb.
READ MORE ON: https://sportip.co.uk/