11/02/2025
Raith Rovers(H), Dane Murray and trying not to worry about Bayern (H)
Raith Rovers(H)
Celtic’s lesser spotted/fancied players produced a good showing in Saturday’s 5-0 win in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. 5 goals to add to 6 midweek and memories of last month’s grumbling stands at Parkhead seem distant. A cup game, the kick-off time, and changes to the line-up brought a nice novelty to this one. 3 players had interesting afternoons.
Daizen Maeda – at present, the best player in Scotland – played through the middle, grabbing his 48th, 49th and 50th goals as a Celtic player. 21 of the 50 goals have come this season – his 3rd full campaign – 10 have come in the last 6 weeks. A pronounced upward trend that’s starting to shift the narrative around the Japanese forward and his standing in the team. Polish has been added to the persistence and his influence on the side grows weekly, as does his finishing ability. If Maeda stays – the club should be offering him something soon you would hope – another 2/3 years, he can be the next Celtic player to hit 100 goals.
I find Yang a hard player to define, but also hard to completely give up on. Positives have not quite added up to their sum with the South Korean winger, in fact, his two assists on Saturday were his first of the season, yet I’m still tempted to call him creative. Well-balanced running with the ball, quick with the odd trick but seemingly never able to eliminate his full-back and deliver, he has ultimately been frustrating up to this point. He had something to show for his efforts on this occasion though, decisive final balls for Maeda and McCowan, much more like it, he also got on the scoresheet, superbly finishing a deep cross from Tony Ralston. An afternoon for the 21-year-old to build on.
New beginnings.
Dane Murray looked the part on Saturday, his first start in three and a half years.
Injuries have delayed Murray’s rise to prominence but after a successful loan spell at Queen’s Park, the 21-year-old has eventually found his way, back into the Celtic first team. You can see why Rodgers is a fan of the young defender. “I was so pleased for Dane Murray. I think he can become a really top player. You see that out on the pitch, his power, speed, dominance. And he can play football.”
6’4, long-limbed, and strong, he is the archetypal central defender, in terms of physique. Quick and willing to pass the ball with both feet, Murray will hopefully feature more before the end of the season.
Bayern Munich(H)
The reward for Celtic’s endeavours in the Champions League so far is a knock-out tie v Bayern Munich. Being big-time is harsh.
For the first time since 2013, Celtic have progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League and displayed a newfound competence along the way. After 3 seasons of consecutive participation, experience at this level has accumulated, leading to improved results and performances. Also returned is the steadfast home form, upon which, previous successful campaigns have been built.
I’m trying to convince myself but it’s not really working. No doubt by the time Wednesday comes, I’ll be daydreaming about last-minute winners but the reality is jolting and keeping the likes of Musiala and Harry Kane quiet is a monumental task. Most likely, this is where it comes to an end for this season; success has already been achieved. It is possible though, Bayern lost at Feyenoord 3-0 nil on Matchday 7 and a performance similar to the chasing we gave Leipzig(H), could see us come away with something.
A draw would validate Celtic at this level, something to point to, providing a standard. Winning and the scalp of a giant like Bayern, would be the biggest European night of Celtic’s recent history.