Bayern and the importance of being optimistic/realistic

Andrew H previews tonights tie

It felt like a gift from the Almighty when news filtered through last night that Daizen Maeda would be available to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of the clubs’ Champion League last 16 play-off.

Indeed, Celtic’s appeal to UEFA proving successful over the unjust two-match ban he was given for the tamest of red cards against Young Boys last month made it seem as if our club were anointed. Right now, the Japanese attacker is the most influential performer in Brendan Rodgers’ ranks. The prospects of an upset in Glasgow tomorrow are seriously enhanced with the dynamo afforded the opportunity to do his dynamic thang (which has included being joint top scorer for the club in the competition with three goals…the same number as striker Adam Idah, who he will now be able to feature alongside against the German leviathans).

But those prospects still aren’t huge. Not against a side with a £219m wage spend. Or, to put it another way, four times that of Celtic. The same financial differential as exists between Aberdeen and Celtic, for context. Maeda is having a magical spell right now. Evidenced by the fact he has netted eight goals in his past five outings. At times you could believe he is faster than a speeding bullet,more powerful than a locomotive and, if he puts his singular mind to it, could be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Alas, though, he won’t ever rip off his shirt to reveal an S insignia. He might be Celtic’s Superman, but that is where his powers end.