Rotation could prove key in Bayern Munich match tonight | OneFootball

Celtic head into our most important match in years with the knowledge that they must take something from the game in order to stand any chance of keeping the tie alive heading into the second-leg next week.

With our opponents proving to be a formidable force at home, we must take full advantage of their patchy away form to make things more difficult for them.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic reacts after scoring the opening goal during the Celtic FC v Raith Rovers FC – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on February 08, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The news that Daizen Maeda will be available to play after the club successfully appealed his two-match ban is music to the ears of Hoops supporters everywhere.

Daizen Maeda controls the ball whilst under pressure from Ethan Ingram during the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Japanese Dynamo has been quite superb for us this season and has really flourished these last few games in terms of adding end product to his rapacious work rate and zest for the game.

That extra leg work and pressing from the front will be absolutely essential and crucial to how Rodgers plans to set-up and take the game to Bayern Munich tonight. The manager’s sense of disappointment was palpable after the Raith Rovers game at Celtic Park, when he was discussing the loss of Daizen to Charlie Mulgrew, Alan Hutton and Emma Dodds.

With Jota now able to come off the bench later on in the match, it means we can rotate much better and keep that quality high deep into the tie. The Superstar from Portugal has been getting up to speed again after spending so long in the footballing desert but judging by his recent appearances, it shouldn’t take him too long to get back fully fit and firing on all cylinders for the Bhoys.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the third goal with teammate Jota during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

With the manager now able to rotate that like-for-like quality agasint a team who are undoubtedly the best in quality we’ve faced this term, it could prove key to getting a crucial result at home and heading over to Munich next week with something to hold onto…

Paul Gillespie