Former Celtic Frank McGarvey believes Celtic can get a result against Bayern Munich in Germany tonight – as long as the Scottish champions stick to their way of playing.

The Hoops take on the German giants in matchday three of the Champions League and McGarvey thinks it could be their night. He said:

“I think Celtic can do well tonight, if they sneak a wee goal that would help. They         have to attack Bayern as well and not just sit back.

“If they sit back and defend the whole game, they are going to be in trouble.

“They must hold onto the ball tonight and try to attack, just the same as Tottenham done last night against Real Madrid – their tactics for that game was absolutely perfect.”

The German Champions go into the fixture having replaced Carlo Ancelotti with veteran coach Jupp Heynckes – who takes charge of the Bavarian side for the fourth time – but McGarvey insists that Celtic should expect a tough game. He said:

“Bayern are a really good team – one of the best in the world – they have some world class players.

“I know they have just changed their manager but I wouldn’t be fooled, they are still a great team… Bayern Munich is one of the hardest places in world football to go.”

Celtic and Bayern go into the game on three points each and a win tonight will take either team to second in group B, and McGarvey – who began life in football under Sir Alex Ferguson at St Mirren – says Celtic have to believe. He said:

“Celtic are in a really good shape just now. When you play these big games, it’s important that you go into them in good form.

“This Celtic side is still finding its feet in the Champions League but the team is improving.

“The thing I like about this Celtic team is that they are settled, the team are all playing for each other and they are definitely getting better but you need experience for the Champions League and this again is another good bit of experience for Celtic.”

Celtic face a defensive crisis ahead of the match after centre back Jozo Simunovic did not travel with the squad after picking up a hamstring injury.

With fellow defenders Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata both sidelined at times this season, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been forced to play midfielder Nir Bitton in the back line.

And former Parkhead striker McGarvey, who scored the winner in the 1985 Scottish Cup final, says that Celtic should have strengthened more in the transfer window. He said:

“Simunovic out is a big blow to Celtic. I just don’t see where they can pull another defender from in the squad.

“I was a wee bit disappointed with Celtic at the start of the season that they didn’t buy a centre half because they had the money and if you do well in the Champions League then you get plenty of money back.”