Daizen Maeda has seemed a bit more like himself under Martin O’Neill.
That’s based on how Maeda performed before Brendan Rodgers’ abrupt departure from Celtic last month, and all the speculation surrounding his future.
But on Saturday evening, as Celtic left it late to beat St Mirren, it seems as though Maeda was back to those old habits that fans don’t want to see.
The Japan star started the game on the right wing, before a very poor opening 45 minutes from Celtic saw O’Neill make a change at the break and push Maeda down the middle.
How much would you sell Daizen Maeda for?
Chris Sutton critical of Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston as Celtic beat St Mirren
If it wasn’t for Callum McGregor’s last-minute wonder-strike, Celtic wouldn’t have had many complaints about producing another drab goalless draw.
Yes, things improved in the second half, but as Chris Sutton touched upon during the break, Maeda looked like a ‘shadow’ of himself, as he told Sky Sports Football (22/11/25).
That’s not a good look on the player, because everyone can fall behind the excuse of everything seemingly declining under Rodgers this season, but now there are fresh faces in the dugout, and it’s the same problems with Maeda.
But Maeda wasn’t the only one under fire, because Anthony Ralston was also slammed by Sutton and suggestions that he should have been taken off at the break.
“I thought he (O’Neill) would be furious with lethargy in the first half performance,” said Sutton. “I think, in the final third, Celtic have really lacked that connection.
“The early part of the game, Tounekti looked like a threat, but then Richardson actually matched him up. Celtic have had nothing from the right-hand side.
“It’s hard to be too critical of Johnny Kenny. It’s not like he is thriving off a lot of opportunities, and players are sliding him in.
“But there is a lack of combination and connection in the final third. It has been like that for large parts of the season. It has been an issue.
“I said who struggled in the first half badly, Anthony Ralston at right-back. I wonder whether there will be a change. Whether Colby Donovan will come on.
“Daizen Maeda, he’s not used to playing off that right-hand side, but he is a shadow of the player that he once was.”
Maeda’s numbers for Celtic against St Mirren
Yes, Maeda looked better in the second playing down the middle, but he is still lacking that sharpness and efficiency in front of the goal.
Perhaps O’Neill, or the new manager coming in, just need to stop playing him on the right flank, because he is far better centrally or on the left flank.
- Minutes: 90
- Total shots: 1
- Offsides: 1
- Passes in the opposition half: 16/19 (84%)
- Touches: 38
- Unsuccessful touches: 5
- Successful dribbles: 1
- Fouled: 1
- Possession lost: 12
- Interceptions: 1
- Recoveries: 1
- Sofascore rating: 6.4
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