Cunningham slams "naive" Celtic

Former Ireland international Kenny Cunningham says Brendan Rodgers "needs to recognise" that his Celtic players aren't good enough to outplay top European teams.

Celtic were beaten 3-0 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, the Bhoys' second chastening defeat in Champions League Group B, following their matchday one 5-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Thomas Muller opened the scoring for the German champions in the 17th minute, Joshua Kimmich doubled Bayern's lead just before the half-hour mark, and Mats Hummels wrapped up the points with a 51st minute header.

And Cunningham was unhappy that Rodgers tried to play the quick-passing possession game that Celtic use in the SPFL, against a technically-superior side such as Bayern Munich.

"Brendan Rodgers speaks of "the Celtic way", but his philosophy doesn't stand up at this level of football," the 72-time capped former Ireland international said during eir Sport's coverage of the match on Wednesday.

"His hope that Celtic play the ball up the pitch, play possession football, play through the thirds, is the equivalent of football suicide at this level.

"They got mugged off time and time again in the second half of that game - such naive play, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"That comes from the manager. Some people may applaud him for the way he wants his team to play, but you have to have the players to implement the system.

"And Celtic don't have the players with the quality to play the style of football he wants. He needs to recognise that, and find a different way of playing at this level of football."

Celtic are third in Group B after three games, three points clear of bottom side Anderlecht, who they beat 3-0 in Brussels on matchday two. 

You can watch all of Celtic's Champions League campaign on the eir Sport package. Brendan Rodgers' side face German champions Bayern Munich, Anderlecht of Belgium and French giants Paris Saint-Germain in Group B. The Hoops' game against Bayern Munich at Celtic Park on Tuesday, 31 October is live on the eir Sport platform [kick-of 7.45pm]

Photo Inpho/ James Crombie

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