Celtic’s main priority last night was securing a spot in the Champions League knockout playoff against Young Boys. The team focused all their efforts on defeating the Swiss champions, which they did after a tense 90 minutes at Parkhead.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was determined to secure the victory, disregarding any talk of a top eight finish. Despite facing an upcoming challenge against Aston Villa, Rodgers was satisfied with the win after a grueling week of preparation.
Although an own goal ultimately secured the win for Celtic, there was a significant incident that went unnoticed. Daizen Maeda was shown a red card for kicking out at a Young Boys defender. This suspension will see him miss the crucial match against Aston Villa.
BBC Sportsound pundit James McFadden expressed concern about Celtic losing Maeda for the playoffs, citing his importance in the team’s attacking strategy. He warned that if Maeda’s offense is deemed serious foul play, he could also miss future matches.
McFadden emphasized the impact of Maeda’s absence, stating that it would be a significant blow to Celtic. Losing a key player for such an important match could potentially jeopardize their chances in the knockout playoff. Ultimately, Maeda’s suspension serves as a reminder of the consequences of reckless actions on the field.