Andy Halliday states what he 'couldn't believe' from UEFA about Celtic v Bayern Munich clash

Celtic Park will be roaring like never before ahead of the visit of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Before a ball was kicked this season, you could argue that expectations for Celtic in Europe increased because UEFA revamped the Champions League format.

The idea was that it would help Brendan Rodgers make those strides forward after several years of struggling to get out of the group stages.

Fast forward to the present and Celtic host Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds, with a chance of reaching the last 16 via a two-legged play-off.

Only last week, you had two dark clouds over this fixture, the first being that the Celtic away fans were at risk of being banned for the return leg.

Then, you had the issue of Daizen Maeda being suspended as he was serving a two-match ban after getting sent off against Young Boys during the league phase.

But all of that has now turned on its head.

Andy Halliday reacts to ‘huge bonus’ for Celtic as Daizen Maeda available for Bayern Munich tie

Not only will Celtic away fans travel to Munich next week, but news got even better on Monday when the club announced that they had won an appeal to reduce Maeda’s ban.

Andy Halliday rightfully pointed out that there was an ‘element of surprise’ at Celtic going for the appeal because it wasn’t reported anywhere.

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Either way, that shock at Maeda now being able to play came as a ‘huge bonus’ and welcome news for all involved, as Halliday stated on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.

Celtic FC Training And Press Conference - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg — Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

“I couldn’t believe it,” admitted Halliday. “Again, the fact that Celtic appealed the decision has been an element of surprise because it hadn’t been reported anywhere.

“But, listen, a huge bonus for them that they managed to win it and he is available because you do feel going into the game that a big part of Celtic’s chances is that they can counter-attack in the transitions. I don’t think there is anybody better in Celtic’s team than Daizen Maeda if he has got space to run into.

“I must agree with the front three as well. I do think, with Jota’s lack of game time, I think it will play a part in the decision-making for the Bayern Munich game.”

Maeda in the form of his life at Celtic

You could argue that Maeda has been Celtic’s best player this season and that’s why there was a sense of sadness at him missing the biggest game of the season so far.

But flip that over and now it’s a different ball game. Maeda running at that Bayern defence, with all of that space in behind, is going to be some sight.

What it also does is it allows Jota, who is still building up his fitness, to come off the bench and add flavour to the attack rather than being forced to start from the get-go when he is still trying to build himself up again.