Daizen Maeda reads Celtic the Champions League riot act – 'We need to make history'
Daizen Maeda insists Celtic will need to raise their game to make Champions League history – and dig out their shooting boots.
The Hoops ace has set his sights on three points against Young Boys in Glasgow Wednesday night to bank a spot in the knockout stages for the first time in more than a decade. Maeda is convinced Celts have the firepower to sink the Swiss – but he admitted his side will need to step up a level from Saturday’s Scottish Cup win against Kilmarnock.
The Japanese winger bagged the winner as Celts saw off Derek McInnes’ Rugby Park outfit but the cup holders were made to sweat after passing up numerous chances in front of goal. Maeda admitted the Hoops can’t afford a repeat against Young Boys as they gear up for the mammoth showdown. He said: “Well, if we play against Young Boys the way we did on Saturday, then it will be very difficult for us.
“If we have these opportunities, we need to convert them to goals. The next game is the most important for us, of course. We need to recover well from the weekend and prepare for this next one.
“We need to try to get a good result – and to make history. We know what is necessary and we will be going for the win.”
Celtic are undefeated at home in the Champions League with thrilling wins against RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava and a battling draw with FC Brugge. Rodgers wants Parkhead rocking as they look to seal the deal against a Young Boys outfit who are rock bottom of the European table after six defeats out of six, including thumping loses to Aston Villa, Atalanta and Stuttgart.
The Swiss side are also toiling in their homeland in ninth place and they came back from their four-week winter shutdown with a dire goalless draw with basement side Winterthur on Saturday. Maeda is hoping for another blockbuster Euro in Glasgow but warned Celts will still need to be on their A game against the Champions League whipping boys.
He said: “There have been some good performances here so far. But I think we’ll be able to say after this game whether we feel our home form in the competition has been good or bad.
“Right now we just have to focus on this one. You can say Young Boys cannot qualify but that means they have nothing to lose.
“That is dangerous. They can come here and give 100 percent. We cannot allow ourselves to be comfortable. We have to perform like we are the challengers rather than think about how they will be treating us.”
