Celtic controversially told what is ‘entirely acceptable’ about Daizen Maeda right now

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A few of Celtic’s big guns are coming under fire.

Captain Callum McGregor’s role in the side is being questioned, Kasper Schmeichel was error-prone in midweek, and Daizen Maeda just isn’t himself.

All of these scenarios aren’t helpful to Brendan Rodgers, with Celtic on one point after two Europa League matches, and guaranteed to remain second in the Premiership table heading into the October international break, regardless of the Motherwell result.

But with Maeda admitting he wanted to leave in the summer, that honesty hasn’t helped his cause or his form right now.

• READ MORE: Who is Daizen Maeda? Meet Celtic’s energetic, free-scoring talisman

What is ‘entirely acceptable’ to say about Daizen Maeda at Celtic

Throughout Maeda’s tenure in Glasgow, one thing that has made him so popular is the fact that he works and presses harder than anyone else.

But Andy Walker thinks it’s ‘entirely acceptable’ to say right now that the Japan international has ‘lost his focus’ in the famous green and white colours, because he wanted to leave.

Fans can accept and understand players being off form, but if Maeda’s head is indeed elsewhere, then it’s not going to sit well with anybody.

“We all know what Maeda can do, but he hasn’t got an end product this season, as yet,” said Walker.

“I think it’s entirely acceptable that he has lost his focus. I understand. ‘Oh, you need to get it back. Do it for your family. Do it for your professional pride.’

“I’m not questioning his professionalism. I am just highlighting how difficult it is to switch back on when you think you are going elsewhere.”

Maeda’s start compared to last season

Up until the New Year, many would have probably stated that Nicolas Kuhn was Celtic’s Player of the Year, but then Kyogo Furuhashi left in January.

That opened up the door for Maeda to play down the middle, and he proceeded to go goal crazy, before winning Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year.

But, after six Premiership games last season, compared to the current campaign, how was Maeda’s goal tally shaping up?

• Maeda’s first six league games last season: 2 goals and 2 assists
• Maeda’s first six league games this season: 1 goal and 2 assists