Celtic players posed for a team photo on the pitch before their UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 5, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images). American defender Cameron Carter-Vickers appears to have quickly formed a solid defensive partnership with compatriot Auston Trusty. Together, they effectively neutralized Leipzig’s 21-year-old rising star, Benjamin Sesko, throughout the game.
Looking ahead, Celtic faces Belgian champions Club Brugge in three weeks, with an opportunity to secure a place in the Champions League knockout play-off round. Three more wins could guarantee an extraordinary top-eight finish, but the team is taking it one step at a time.
Nicolas Kuhn celebrates after scoring Celtic’s first goal during the match against RB Leipzig, where he delivered a standout performance alongside Reo Hatate, who controlled the midfield brilliantly. With strong defensive play led by captain Callum McGregor, Celtic demonstrated maturity and composure. Facing a pot 1 team, they dictated the game’s rhythm, especially in the second half, as Marco Rose’s Leipzig struggled to match Celtic’s energy and focus.
In a post-match interview with BBC Scotland, Carter-Vickers discussed Celtic’s Champions League growth: “It’s our third year now in the Champions League, and we’ve gained belief and confidence over time. The [Dortmund defeat] was tough, but it pushed us to increase our focus and attention to detail, which has shown in the past two games.”
He added, “We were determined to perform. It was a special night, and while we’re excited, we know [qualification] isn’t secured yet. We demonstrated the level we can achieve, and if we maintain that, we’ll be in good shape.”
Celtic now turns their attention back to the Scottish Premiership, where they’ll face Kilmarnock this Sunday. While a win and strong showing are anticipated, they expect a challenging match against Derek McInnes’ well-organized Ayrshire side.
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