Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist hail ‘vital’ Celtic star as important as Daizen Maeda v Bayern Munich

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It’s time for Celtic fans to strap in because this is going to be some ride.

Everyone has waited a long time for knockout football to return to Parkhead and now Celtic welcome Bayern Munich for a mouthwatering Champions League showdown on Wednesday night.

Daizen Maeda is available to play the first leg of this play-off encounter after he had his two-match ban reduced on Monday and that’s a huge boost for Brendan Rodgers.

Rather than having to throw Jota straight in for another start, when he is still trying to boost up his fitness after returning to the club last month, the front three now picks itself – Maeda, Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn.

Celtic have netted 11 goals in their last two home matches and confidence couldn’t be any higher.

But whilst the attack has been boosted with Maeda’s availability, it’s probably what happens behind him that matters the most, as Neil Lennon, Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist touched upon.

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ importance hailed as Celtic host Bayern Munich in the Champions League

Liam Scales and Dane Murray started Celtic’s win over Raith Rovers at the weekend in an indicator that Cameron Carter-Vickers will start alongside Auston Trusty against Bayern.

Lennon spoke about the ‘huge boost’ of Maeda playing and how this Celtic side have ‘goals in them’.

But McCoist wanted to give his flowers to Carter-Vickers and how he is ‘vital’ in these ‘big games’, as he told talkSPORT.

Those comments were echoed by Lennon, who doesn’t have much worry about what will happen in the final third, but admitted Celtic ‘aren’t as solid at the back’ without Carter-Vickers.

“It’s tough and I think you have to get something at home,” said Lennon. “They are capable of doing that. This team has got goals in them.

“I think they got a huge boost with Maeda being given the green light to play. He has been outstanding this season. You have all the ingredients for a great night of football.”

Alan Brazil then interrupted: “Carter-Vickers as well. We need him as well, don’t we?!” Before McCoist added: “You and I have spoken about him, Lenny. I think he is vital for Celtic, Carter-Vickers, in those big games.”

Lennon agreed and added: “Well, he missed the Villa game and you can just see, it’s just not the same when he’s not there. They aren’t as solid at the back. Everything is pointing in Celtic’s favour. They have got goals in them. Whether they can keep them out at the other end remains to be seen. It’s a great tie. The place will be rocking.”

Carter-Vickers’ stats for Celtic this season

If Carter-Vickers can stay away from the treatment room, then you wonder how much more he could provide the team because that’s his only issue.

But the key thing here is that he is available for the most important match of the season so far.

Carter-Vickers has played five games in Europe this term and has been handed a rating of just under seven by WhoScored.