As the clock ticks nearer and nearer to kick-off time in the Allianz Arena, many are wondering what line-up Brendan Rodgers will go for when his side do battle with one of Europe’s heavyweights and a major contender to win the UEFA Champions League this term…
Vincent Kompany, Head Coach of Bayern Munich, arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and FC Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Bayern had world-class players sitting on their bench
We saw last week the many riches that Vincent Kompany has at his fingertips and with reinforcements of a world-class level sitting on he bench too, Celtic certainly have their work cut out tonight. The Hoops will have their own selection choices to make in Germany, with many curious to see what the Irishman goes for in search of that miracle result in the city of Munich.
The pundits on Premier Sports have been having their say, as they convened once again for the weekly episode of the Scottish Football Social Club podcast.
Both pundits intrigued by what Rodgers thought process is
Both Michael Stewart and Alan Hutton were intrigued by what Rodgers thought process is and whether or not he will decide to stick with countryman, Adam Idah, up top away from home tonight or move Daizen Maeda into the middle, which caused Bayern major problems last Wednesday when Idah came off the pitch.
Jeffrey Schlupp of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Celtic Park, 5 February 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace, Shutterstock
Similarly, the guys questioned whether Jeffrey Schlupp would be favoured in this one over Greg Taylor, owing to his years of experience in the Premier League and also his physicality and pace from the left-back and wide areas.
Here’s what both men had to say on it:
Alan Hutton:
“I think that’s why he was brought in (Schlupp), his pace, his power. He’s athletic and he can get up and down the ptich. He’s showed that. This is not me going against Greg Taylor and everything he’s done. He’s been outstanding. Let’s not get it wrong here – he definitely has. But sometimes, in away games, somebody like Schlupp with his experience and eveything he’s went through, being able to handle that big oaccsion. And Taylor would as well… But it’s just different attributes he’s has, that I think could help.
Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.
“Through the middle but, when you look at the pace… Like Maeda could easily play there. With Jota, Kühn… You could play Maeda through the middle for pace. You could play Jota one side and Kühn the other. Bayern are going to have most of the possession of the ball. And your going to need to stem that flow but also have a threat. I think when you’ve got that pace, that could hurt them. Idah, of course he’s in good form. He can hold the ball up. You can get runners off him. But it will be interesting to see what he does. There’s two different ways I think that he (Rodgers) can tackle it.”
Michael Stewart:
“Yeah, I mean, without sort of trying to pass time away and fast-forward. When you look further ahead, to the evolution of the team. And you look at next season, for example. Jota fully fit. Kieran Tierney coming into the team. Signing a big striker. You know they’re going to spend money singing a main striker. Idah getting more game time. That squad as a whole, is looking very strong.
“So just to look on Tuesday, and looking back to last week. I kept thinking to myself ‘is it just that classic scenario of Bayern are two up, they’re – not holding on – but naturally the dynamic of the game changes slightly. Celtic have got to go for it. And it just founded with Maeda going through the middle.’ Or was it because of Maeda was through the middle? And I think it’s a wee bit of both. You can’t say Upamecano is slow. The guy is an absolute machine. You know what I mean?
Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.
“Dier, yes – you could say you could get at him with a bit of pace. I think seeing the majority of the game, Laimer, and his positioning. They played it really well because they were able to nullify Maeda, because they forced him back up the park so much. And I think that Maeda, on the left-hand side against most teams, can still be such a threat in behind.
“But just the way that Bayern moved the ball about so well and Laimer’s position. It was so high up. It forced back up the park so much. So I do think that it’s going to be interesting to see what Rodgers does. Does he put Maeda through the middle? He’s going to be able to threaten in behind, more than Idah would.”
Who should start for Celtic against Bayern Munich tonight? @darrellcurrietv, Alan Hutton and
Paul Gillespie
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I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.
