Bayern Munich v Celtic – Jeffrey Schlupp has to start

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The Celtic Star

·18 February 2025

Bayern Munich v Celtic – Jeffrey Schlupp has to start

Brendan Rodgers must get his Celtic team selection spot on if this evening we have any chance of getting a result in Munich’s amazing Allianz Arena…

Jeffrey Schlupp of Celtic Celtic v Dundee, Celtic Park, 5 February 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace, Shutterstock

Jeffrey Schlupp or Greg Taylor?

One player who many think is worthy of start, and I incline to agree is Jeffrey Schlupp. The Ghanian international joined us in the last day of the transfer window on a short term loan deal from Crystal Palace, and he has proved in his few games so far the qualities he brings such as his power, strength, and experience.

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Those qualities will be much required against the might of Bayern Munich tonight, and it would be foolish not to start a man who possess such qualities, not to mention the wealth of experience he has at the top level.

This isn’t a game for sentiments

The player who would ultimately make way for Jeffrey Schlupp would be Greg Taylor, and while he is a player I admire for the contribution he’s made to the club, this isn’t a game for sentiments.

. Celtic v Bayern Munchen, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Play-off first leg, Celtic Park Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland – 12th February 2025. Photo Daniel Weir / Crystal Pix Serge Gnabry of Bayern Munich battles Jeffrey Schlupp of Celtic.

Bayern are a big strong and skilful side, and it was blatantly obvious they targeted our left hand side as a weak area last week, indeed both their goals last week arrived from that area, so it makes perfect sense to eliminating that weakness and plug the gap with a powerful experience such as Jeffrey Schlupp.

The other big decision for Brendan Rodgers

The other big decision for Brendan Rodgers is whether to play Daizen Maeda on the left or through the middle. That choice will mean either Jota or Adam Idah starting on the bench but expected to get half an hour. I’d go with Daizen through the middle after what happened in those hugely encouraging last 25 minutes last Wednesday night at Celtic Park.

Daizen Maeda causing havoc in the Bayern Munich defence. Celtic v Bayern Munich, Champions League play-off, on 12 February 2025 at Celtic Park. Photo Imago.

So I hope that the Celtic starting XI to take on Bayern Munich is as follows: