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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Celtic tipped to defeat Real Madrid and reach Champions League last 16 by BT Sport pundits

Glenn Hoddle insists Celtic can defeat reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid and reach the last 16 stage of the competition.

Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed a fine start to life at Parkhead and after recapturing the Premiership title from Rangers in his debut season, his side earned an automatic crack at Europe's top table and the reward - the European champions, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar as they bid to make a splash on the biggest of stages in club football.

Celtic players and fans alike have been looking to face the Spanish giants for years and years after facing regular games against rivals Barcelona at this stage in previous seasons. It's a tough pairing for the Parkhead side but former England and Tottenham Hoddle reckons they are capable of winning all three home games and reaching the knockout stage. He told BT Sport: “They will genuinely be saying we can pip that.

"They won’t be looking at perhaps winning the group, but I think they are capable. Even Madrid, they can beat. They can win the three home games.

“They’ve turned over other big clubs up there and when the atmosphere gets going there’s nothing like it so they’ll feel confident they can get out of the group and into the last 16.”

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READ MORE: Rangers placed among top 10 teams in world football by global ranking as Celtic beat Barcelona

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Steve McManaman agreed with Hoddle's assessment and reckons the Scottish champions could pull of a Sheriff at the Bernabeu.

He added: "From a Celtic point of view, I think they've got a great chance. It's great that they are going to play Shakhtar and Leipzig, but then Madrid.

"Depending on when you are going to face Madrid, you might get them in the last game of the group where they have already qualified like they did last year, you never know. But it's a wonderful competition for them. They might do a Sheriff and win (at the Bernabeu). It could easily happen."

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