Celtic vs Bayern Munich LIVE: Champions League team news and line-ups ahead of play-off tie | OneFootball

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Maeda trains as Celtic prepare for UCL play-off match against Bayern Munich

Celtic host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie with the Scottish side facing a mammoth task to reach the last 16 of the competition.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are flying high with a 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but this tie provides more difficult opposition in the form of one of the Champions League’s most successful sides.

Six-time winners Bayern may have only finished in 12th in the league phase but they top the Bundesliga by eight points, with a vast range of attacking talent including Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Harry Kane sure to test the hosts’ defence.

But Bayern’s European results have shown vulnerability, with their league phase including a 3-0 loss to Feyenoord, which will give Celtic plenty of hope that they can strike a blow to Vincent Kompany’s visitors ahead of the second leg in Munich next week.

Celtic handed huge Daizen Maeda boost before Bayern clash

Brendan Rodgers admitted it was a "big surprise" to have the "extraordinary" Daizen Maeda available for Celtic's Champions League play-off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.

The Japan attacker was sent off in the 1-0 win over Young Boys last month and served the first game of his ban in the 4-2 loss away to Aston Villa.

It was thought Celtic's top scorer this season would also miss the visit of the German giants but his two-match suspension was reduced to one after an appeal, with the news emerging on Monday.

Maeda has scored six goals in his last three games - and 22 in total for club and country this season.

Brendan Rodgers hails 'world class' Harry Kane ahead of tie

Brendan Rodgers expressed his long-term admiration of "world class" Harry Kane ahead of the Bayern Munich striker's visit to Celtic Park.

The England captain will lead the line for the German giants in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off at Parkhead tonight.

"Oh, he's absolutely brilliant," said the Celtic boss. "Obviously, I've known Harry for a long time and come across him many times.

"Harry's actually one of those ones that until you're stood on the side of the pitch and you face him, you actually only then really, really see his level.

"I know as a young player he came through the system at Tottenham. It wasn't easy for him at the beginning. He had lots of loans getting out to clubs and didn't quite work out.

"And then he was given the opportunity by Tim Sherwood at Tottenham. Tim had belief in him and had worked with him as a young player. Once he got into the team his development just improved from that. And you look at him now, he's a world-class player.”

"I can't speak highly enough of him. He was absolutely brilliant at Tottenham, showed the same for England and he's gone out to Bayern and you just need to look at his goals record. A fantastic player and a good guy. We know that."

Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich tonight (PA Wire)

Harry Latham-Coyle12 February 2025 15:40