Brendan Rodgers has discussed the one Celtic player who is a surprise contender to start against Bayern Munich after a goal and two assists against Raith Rovers this evening.

With Daizen Maeda bagging a hat-trick and set to miss Wednesday’s game through suspension, one player’s performance against Barry Robson’s side went under the radar.

That player is, of course, Yang Hyun-jun, who started the game in what was arguably his best performance in a Celtic shirt. With Jota rested ahead of the game, the Portuguese winger came off the bench in the second half.

Yang, who has often featured off the bench for Celtic over the last 18 months, did show real growth this evening, albeit against Championship opposition. The South Korean winger is set to go head-to-head with Jota for a starting place on Wednesday night.

When asked ‘A goal and two assists for Yang today, has he staked his claim to play against Bayern?’

Rodgers said: (The Celtic Way), “He’s a young guy that’s come in and done very well today. I think he created one, he scored a really, really good goal. It’s not an easy one, that one.

“It was a good cross in from Tony, but he’s got to get there and finish it. There’s no doubt he’ll be in the squad, that’s for sure.

“Will he start? We’ll wait and see, but I’m just really pleased, apart from Daizen, we’re going in with a real positive mentality for the game.”

Despite a really impressive showing, Yang looks unlikely to start, especially considering Jota re-joined Celtic for a reported £8 million. The superstar for Portugal was certainly signed for games like Wednesday night.

Yang has worked hard to get to where he is and deserves a place in the squad, but you can’t help but feel that Rodgers will go with the experience of Jota, who featured for Celtic in the Champions League in 2022.

Although it wasn’t as successful as the current side, with a goal at the Bernabéu from a free kick that season, he showed that he can step up against Europe’s elite—something that can’t yet be said for Yang.