Celtic striker Adam Idah has reflected on Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich while looking ahead to the second leg on Tuesday at the Allianz Arena.
Idah, who started the game before being substituted in the 65th minute for Jota, would see a Nicolas Kuhn goal ruled out just 25 seconds in due to his apparent involvement.
However, for Idah, Tuesday’s return leg gives him the chance to turn the tie around, with the Irishman looking to pick up where he left off last time out away from home in the Champions League against Aston Villa at Villa Park, where Idah netted a brace.
Idah has done well in two starts away from home in Europe, against Villa and Atalanta in Bergamo.
Despite being substituted on Wednesday night, he may start again against Vincent Kompany’s side in Germany, with the Irishman remaining optimistic despite the defeat at Celtic Park.
He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “I think it’s just having that confidence and belief going into these big games.
“We can go toe-to-toe with the big teams, it’s just going out and actually doing it, improving it.
“Like you said, the last 15-20 minutes was really good. It was good for us and all the fans backed us. Everyone’s looking forward to Tuesday. We’re still in it and we’re looking forward to it.”
The message from the Celtic dressing room is clear: the Hoops are still in this tie, and at 2-1 down, it’s not impossible to progress. However, it does look highly unlikely considering the fortress Bayern have built at the Allianz Arena.
For Idah, he was unable to affect the game against Bayern. He tried his best to hold the ball up at times and sacrificed his goal-scoring threat by dropping deep to defend alongside midfielders.
However, the Irishman has shown, as he did against Villa, that he can score against top European opposition. That presents a dilemma for Rodgers, who will have to decide whether to go with Idah or Maeda up top on Tuesday, with Maeda scoring after Idah was substituted on Wednesday.
