On a night that belonged to the guisers, perhaps Brendan Rodgers might have donned a suit of his own for a bittersweet evening.

Having crooned along to the My Way mantra throughout the week, the Celtic manager would not have been out of place sporting a jaunty fedora and loose cummberband as he stood, coolly on the sidelines as the show raged on around him.

If Rodgers delivered the words, it was his team who supplied a laudable show.

Read more: Celtic winger Scott Sinclair: 'There was silence in the changing room - it was different to PSG and Barca defeats'

They came close but if the result was not what they wanted, the performance suggested enough of Rodgers’ way has taken root at Celtic Park.

A calamatious defensive misjudgement in the 22nd minute of this game was an indelible stain on an impressive first-half performance, an error that Callum McGregor looked to have cancelled out deep in the second period of this game. It was a leveller that seemed just reward for Celtic’s heart and endeavour.

It proved to be a lead that last a mere four minutes before Javi Martinez restored Bayern’s upperhand but while it leaves Celtic still without a home win in the group stages of the Champions League for four years, there was sufficient spirit and craft about the display to warrant cause for optimism.

This was not a lopsided affair with Celtic used as the punchbag, such as it was against PSG, against Barcelona. It was the kind of performance, rather, that Rodgers has beseeched of his players at this level.

In one sense there was much to be applauded; his side played football. They made chances. They did not cower behind their own halfway line and boot the ball into row Z. They showed an aggression, an awareness and a bravery with the ball at their feet.

But that lingering sense of defensive culpability remains a wearying achilles heel.

Read more: Neil Cameron: Superb Celtic might have lost to Bayern - but they should have high hopes for Europa League

The spirit last night wasn’t enough. But for those looking for a sign that Celtic are moving in the right direction, this might have been it.

In James Forrest they had a winger who put in his best display at this level and who was at the heart of frequent incisions into Bayern’s final third. It was no surprise that it was Forrest finely picked the pass that teed up the equaliser.

Last night’s result formalises that Celtic will not qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League but they remain on course for a Europa League parachute.

It will be an opportunity to continue their education in Continental competition.

Similarly, people have spoken of Kieran Tierney making it to the top level; on nights like last night the 20-year-old offered a compelling case to suggest he is there already.

His drive and football acumen was visible as early as the fifth minute when, from a Bayern Munich corner kick, Tierney was the catalyst for as good a chance as any that Celtic created in the game. Nicking in to clear, Tierney went on the run before supplying Forrest. The winger kept the move going, pushing forward, before delivering the ball to Stuart Armstrong.

Read more: Celtic looked like a 'proper' Champions League team against Bayern - Brendan Rodgers

Armstrong was hesitant as he collected meaning that a fine move culminated with a weak finish.

They were brave on the ball, in Forrest and Callum McGregor and Armstrong they had pace and menace.

It was visible when Forrest bolted forward, cutting inside and exchanging passes with Armstrong. The move broke down with an offside flag but it was further indication that Celtic were keen to land a couple of punches of their own.

A minute later when Moussa Dembele, into lead the line for his first start of the Champions League group stages, rolled Jerome Boateng before uncurling a shot that dragged wide of the mark.

All of which made it particularly difficult to stomach when Bayern winded them with a goal that came from nothing.

Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich’s speculative punt up the field was greeted by the Hoops defence as though an adder had fallen from the sky. The ball seemed to bounce past Dedryck Boyata, prompting Craig Gordon to bolt out his box.

Read more: Celtic winger Scott Sinclair: 'There was silence in the changing room - it was different to PSG and Barca defeats'

Kingsley Coman was cute in knocking it past the Hoops goalkeeper – and seemed to be aided by a swift dink of his left arm – before simply rolling the ball into the exposed net.

That the blow was self-inflicted was the most frustrating element of all and it left Celtic on the ropes for the next five minutes.

The goal punctured that early belief, the verve and swagger they had had in the early stages.

There was a vulnerability in them that hadn’t been evident in the opening exchanges and yet they found themselves back in it again, back in their groove as the game progressed.

On the cusp of the half hour mark Celtic broke away at pace with Armstrong and Dembele exchanging a swift one-two with the midfielder’s wide ball almost finding Dembele lurking at the far post only for David Alaba to stick out a leg and avert the danger.

Still, though, it fed the hope and sense of optimism within Celtic Park.

Celtic emerged after the restart unchanged and within the opening minutes had come within a whisker of finding the goal they craved.

As he did throughout the night, Forrest was at the heart of the move, delivering a precise ball through to Armstrong after driving forward. From the edge of the box Armstrong lashed a thumping low shot goalwards only to see it superbly palmed away by Ulreich who dived low to push the ball around the post.

Read more: Celtic looked like a 'proper' Champions League team against Bayern - Brendan Rodgers

Sinclair went off to be replaced by Tom Rogic for the final half hour of the game as Celtic, legs tiring, tried to find their second wind and go again.

At the other end, though, Coman proved his danger as he sliced through the Hoops defence to set up James Rodrigues. Gordon was equal to the attempt as he stuck out a left leg to block.

Still, though, it was Celtic who took the roof of the stadium when their courage found a reward. The excellent Forrest was the architect, teeing up McGregor who took his time before slotting the ball into the net.

The joy was fleeting.

Javi Martinez rose to meet a Coman cross that seemed to hang in the air for an age. Nir Bitton took the full force of Martinez’ header but it was nothing to the pain of the ball hitting the back of the net.