Chris Sutton says something rare happened with Daizen Maeda during Celtic’s win at Hearts

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Celtic’s winning train showed no signs of stopping at Tynecastle.

Despite the banana skin of facing a team struggling near the bottom of the Premiership and a side who beat Celtic in Edinburgh last time out.

There was only one man walking away with the points and that was Brendan Rodgers after his side slapped Hearts for four.

Celtic had several players on national duty and that is an issue because of how far some of them had to travel during this past fortnight.

The Japanese trio had to travel across the world, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda all starting against Hearts.

Luis Palma and Alistair Johnston also travelled to South and North America, respectively, so that’s not going to be easy on the legs.

And Chris Sutton felt that Maeda felt that because he wasn’t himself.

Chris Sutton says Daizen Maeda looked ‘clunky’ during Celtic’s win over Hearts

Maeda was replaced just after the hour mark for James Forrest, with Celtic 2-0 up at this point after goals from Kyogo and the man in-form Nicolas Kuhn.

But Sutton felt that the opposing fullback, Daniel Oyegoke, had Maeda’s number and he wasn’t letting him have a kick.

The Bhoys legend explained how ‘you don’t say it often’ but Celtic’s all-action winger was having an off evening, as he told Sky Sports Football (23/11/24).

“Brilliant from Greg Taylor, he fed it to Daizen Maeda and he couldn’t quite find Kyogo,” said Sutton. “It was intelligent though from Taylor.

“He has looked a little bit clunky, Daizen Maeda this evening. Not the first time his touch has let him down. Greg Taylor, though, taking up another good position.

“So far, and you don’t say this often, Oyegoke, he hasn’t let Daizen Maeda have a kick. He has done an excellent job in nullifying him. But you know Maeda, he will continue making those runs in behind.”

Maeda’s stats for Celtic against Hearts

It’s understandable that Maeda wasn’t as sharp as he normally is because he has travelled quite a lot over the past week.

What’s impressive is that WhoScored rated his performance just under seven, which is pretty good given that he wasn’t at his best.

It goes to show the levels he can hit when he is firing and, for large parts this season, he has been one of Celtic’s best players.