Brendan Rodgers is preparing Celtic for one of the biggest games of their European history against Bayern Munich tonight.
The Celtic manager will be hoping to overturn the Bhoys’ first-leg defeat to Bayern in the hope of qualifying for the last 16 of Europe’s elite tournament.
Celtic fans are under no illusions that it will take a Herculean effort to defeat the Bundesliga giants in the Allianz Arena but with the options that Rodgers has at his disposal and looking at how the team have performed so far, there will be many who are confident that the Bhoys can do the almost impossible.
However, Hoops hero John Hartson reckons that one of Rodgers’ signings could be left out of the game tonight as discussion rages about who could start up front for Celtic against Bayern Munich.
John Hartson suggests Adam Idah might not play for Celtic vs Bayern Munich
Deeney said that whilst Celtic will need to defend as a team, the former Premier League striker said that Adam Idah could be needed to do the ‘horrible’ parts of the game to help Celtic get a result when Hartson made a big call regarding the Irishman.
Hartson told talkSPORT, “Well, you’re right, Troy, I think when you play with that one up, which you and I played for many years, you’ve got to try and get hold of the ball, help the team get up the pitch, win fouls, win your battles.
“You’re hoping that players are getting in and around you when you can be isolated at the top end of the pitch on your own.
“He might not even play Troy. He might play Maeda through the middle and bring Jota to the left-hand side with Kuhn on the right.
“Because Maeda through the middle this season and on the left, he’s got 24 goals, the Japan centre-forward, he’s got terrific pace.”
John Hartson’s big Jeffrey Schlupp/Greg Taylor starting prediction for Celtic vs Bayern Munich
Hartson then goes on to make his big prediction on whether or not Jeffrey Schlupp will start for Celtic ahead of Greg Taylor in tonight’s clash against Bayern.
“But Brendan, he’s got options,” continues Hartson, “I think Jeffrey Schlupp will probably come in on the left-hand side. They played £11 million for Engels, the Belgium midfielder, in the summer. He’s a good footballer.
“They carry a threat, Celtic. They’ve got real pace at the top end of the pitch. But listen, everybody knows how much of a difficult task it is against Bayern Munich.
“100 million euros for Harry Kane, 50 million for Sane, 50 million for Olise, Celtic are not in the market to do that for players. So in terms of Bayern Munich, they’re one of the best teams on the planet.”
Whatever happens tonight, Celtic fans will recognise that this season, they have witnessed their team make strides against some of the best teams in Europe.
Realistically, a win against Bayern looks unlikely, or at least qualifying for the last 16 does but if Celtic goes and puts on a good show and proves that they can match the Bundelsiga club then the fans will be happy regardless of the result.
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