Daizen Maeda is playing the best football of his career and Celtic are fortunate to witness it.
The all-action star brought in by Ange Postecoglou has transformed into a goalscoring machine under Brendan Rodgers’ stewardship.
That was proven as Celtic beat Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup on Saturday to book their ticket into the next round.
Maeda netted a hat-trick and understandably stole the headlines, days after his masterclass when Dundee were hit for six in midweek in the Premiership.
That’s why the Japan star is going to be a huge miss for Celtic’s Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
However, there is one player who will be available, but is expected to start from the bench, as Alan Hutton and Charlie Mulgrew wanted to give Luke McCowan his flowers.
Alan Hutton lauds Luke McCowan after transfer to Celtic from Dundee
McCowan started against Raith Rovers and impressed those inside Parkhead, with Hutton labelling him a ‘very intelligent’ footballer.
On the one hand, it’s a crying shame, but on the other, it showcases the strength of the Celtic squad, starting games isn’t the norm for the 27-year-old – he has only started ten in all competitions.
But Hutton loves what he is seeing from the player, including how well he is linking up with the man of the moment Maeda and how it’s a ‘dream’, as he told Premier Sports (08/02/25).
“I think Luke McCowan is an excellent player,” said Hutton. “I think he is very intelligent. He sees runs. He sees movement and he always wants to pass the ball forward.
“When you have somebody like Maeda, with that pace, who will run into space as well. I mean, it’s a dream come true for a midfielder, so I think they are linking up very well. If you look at Maeda’s goals recently, he is so calm now. He takes his time.
“I think the biggest thing for a player coming into a football club like Celtic is, can you be consistent? Can you hit that level, week in and week out? Even midweek. Champions League. Whatever it may be. You have to raise your bar. I think that’s exactly what he has done. He was excellent for Dundee. He moved here and he has surrounded himself with top players.”
McCowan waiting to start for Celtic
You suspect that the midfield three that will start against Bayern will be Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.
If there is a first change, then it’s probably Paulo Bernardo coming on.
But, as Charlie Mulgrew touched upon it, the man signed from Dundee has ‘stepped up’, and even if he has several players ahead of him, he is ‘waiting to start’.
“He has stepped up,” stated Mulgrew. “A quality midfielder. This was a great performance. What a midfielder. He is right on the brink and is waiting for a start, so he has done himself no harm.”
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