© Imago
5-0 cup victory over Raith Rovers
Sun | 09/02/25 | 14:08
Form check: Successful dress rehearsal for Celtic
Celtic picked up a confidence booster ahead of the Champions League encounter with FC Bayern on Wednesday at 21:00 CET. The Scottish serial winners beat second-tier side Raith Rovers 5-0 in the cup round of 16. Forward Daizen Maeda handed them a two-goal lead before half-time (6', 45'+3). Luke McCowan (47') and Hyun-Jun Yang (56') put the game to bed after the restart, with Maeda rounding off the final scoreline for the Bhoys (77').
Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers was satisfied with his team's performance in the Scottish FA Cup: "It was a complete performance. I thought our professionalism, concentration and quality in the game was very good," said the 52-year-old, who coached Liverpool from 2012 to 2015. "These games, as we know, can prove tricky over the years. The teams come with a big motivation from either further down the league or a league below," he commented on the team lying seventh in the Scottish Championship.
Celtic's Maeda in top form
Daizen Maeda bagged a hat-trick in the cup match against Raith Rovers. | © Imago
Rodgers praised three-goal Maeda, who has scored 21 goals in 34 competitive games so far this season: "His three goals today were great," said the coach, stressing the forward's qualities: "He can score different kinds of goals. He might not be your traditional No. 9, but he runs in behind, is mobile, has speed and can make those finishes in the box."
Luke McCowan too praised his teammate: "He wants to score every game, help the team to defend and attack at every moment. That brushes off on everyone in the squad and he’s a real joy to play with."
Celtic on course
Applause for his team: Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers was pleased with his team's performance | © Imago
Celtic progressed to the cup quarter-finals thanks to the home win. They are on course to defend their title in the domestic league, topping the table 13 points clear of Glasgow Rangers after 25 matchdays. Celtic suffered their only league defeat to their local rivals this term. The Scottish record champions took 12 points in the Champions League league phase (three wins, three draws, two defeats) to advance to the play-offs. After a 7-1 defeat against Borussia Dortmund and a 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig, Munich are their third German opponents this term.
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