Celtic have a golden opportunity to climb the Champions League table as they prepare for their crucial clash with RB Leipzig on Tuesday night. The atmosphere at Parkhead is expected to be electric, fueled by Celtic’s strong performance against Atalanta in their previous match and the fact that Leipzig have yet to secure a point in the group.
With momentum on their side, Celtic will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage and push for a result that could enhance their standing in the competition.
RB Leipzig enter Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Celtic on shaky ground, having suffered their first league loss of the season over the weekend and enduring three straight defeats in Europe, despite their Pot 1 status at the tournament’s start. This setup offers Brendan Rodgers and his squad a prime opportunity to deepen Leipzig’s struggles.
However, Leipzig may feel they’re overdue for a positive turn, and Celtic fans will be hoping that it doesn’t come at their expense, especially with the high spirits following Celtic’s commanding victory over Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final. Several standout performances from that match even caught the attention of RB Leipzig’s official website, where certain Celtic players received special praise.
RB Leipzig’s official website recently highlighted four Celtic players—Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Nicolas Kuhn, and Kyogo Furuhashi—ahead of their Champions League clash. Surprisingly, Daizen Maeda, one of Celtic’s standout players this season, was left off their list.
Maeda’s omission comes as a surprise to fans, especially after his impressive hat-trick performance against Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final. Despite his consistent impact in both European and domestic competitions, Leipzig’s site focused on other Celtic stars, adding an extra layer of intrigue as the teams prepare to face off.
RB Leipzig’s official website singled out four Celtic players for praise, omitting Daizen Maeda despite his recent hat-trick heroics. Instead, Leipzig highlighted experienced goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as “commanding,” lauded Cameron Carter-Vickers for being “calm under pressure,” praised Nicolas Kuhn’s “creativity,” and described Kyogo Furuhashi as “clinical.”
These recognitions underscore Leipzig’s respect for Celtic’s strengths across the field, with key players ready to make an impact in their Champions League showdown. Maeda’s absence from the list, however, adds a layer of motivation, as he looks to continue his impressive form against the German side.
RB Leipzig’s official website offered detailed praise for four key Celtic players ahead of their Champions League clash:
Kasper Schmeichel (Goalkeeper)Described as “commanding” in the penalty box, Schmeichel is recognized for his leadership, reflexes, and point-blank save ability.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Defender & Captain)Leipzig highlighted Carter-Vickers’ calm demeanor under pressure, his strong positional awareness, and his agility as a central defender.
Nicolas Kühn (Midfielder)Kühn was praised for his creativity, his knack for finding decisive passes, and his excellent reading of the game.
Kyogo Furuhashi (Striker)Leipzig noted Furuhashi’s “clinical” finishing ability, his proficiency with both head and feet, and his composure in front of goal.
While these players received recognition, Daizen Maeda—despite his outstanding performances, including a hat-trick against Aberdeen—was notably absent from Leipzig’s list, adding extra intrigue as the teams prepare to face off.
Daizen Maeda is another player RB Leipzig will need to keep a close eye on. As one of the most popular figures at Parkhead, Maeda’s relentless work rate makes him invaluable to his team and a constant headache for opponents.
With an impressive average of 1.3 tackles per game in the Champions League—a rare stat for an attacking player—Maeda sets the tone with his defensive contributions. Recently, he has also hit his stride in front of goal, netting nine goals across all competitions this season. WhoScored has rated his season at 6.80, reflecting his consistent impact in Celtic’s Green and White.
Leipzig may not have highlighted him, but Maeda’s energy and newfound scoring touch will surely be a key factor in Tuesday’s game.