Chris Sutton states what’s ‘harsh’ to say about Daizen Maeda at Celtic compared to Kyogo

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There have been dramatic changes to Celtic’s forward line in 2025.

It started with Kyogo Furuhashi leading the line for Celtic, Daizen Maeda going goal crazy in between, and the calendar year will probably end with Kelechi Iheanacho being the main man up top.

Whilst Maeda is Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year for his performances in 2024/25, especially his 33 strikes in all competitions.

The Japan star hasn’t found his form or rhythm for the start of the new campaign, and Chris Sutton discussed his situation at Celtic, comparing it to Kyogo’s.

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

Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi at Celtic

At the peak of his powers, nobody was better than Kyogo as a centre-forward for Celtic, and Sutton told the Warm-Up that the departed striker was ‘much cleaner’ than his fellow countryman in that position.

On Wednesday night, as Celtic drew 1-1 with Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, Maeda was hooked off at half-time, and then his search for a goal continued as the Hoops drew 0-0 at home to Hibernian on Saturday.

Sutton, when comparing the two Japanese stars, added that it’s probably ‘harsh’ to say, but Kyogo also had a ‘better football brain’ than Maeda, who just isn’t suited to playing a centre-forward.

“The difference between Kyogo and Daizen Maeda as a central striker,” said Sutton. “Kyogo was much cleaner.

“It’s harsh to say a better football brain, but in that central striking role, he knew what was in and around him and over his shoulders.

“The other issue Celtic have, playing Daizen Maeda. He scored the important goal at Kilmarnock, a good bit of movement.

“But Celtic dominate games in Scotland. They push teams back, and that’s when you do need a centre forward who’s going to come off and link things up. Then you can get runners beyond.”

Kelechi Iheanacho to the rescue for Celtic?

One thing is for sure: you notice the difference when Iheanacho is playing as a striker compared to Maeda, simply because he holds the ball up better.

That was visible in Belgrade in midweek, and that’s the ‘positive’ Sutton is trying to take out of all this situation, as Celtic try to fix their striker role.

“In the first half against Red Star, Celtic really struggled,” added Sutton.

“Iheanacho still looks well short of fitness, but there were signs. Three or four times, the way that he came off, held his man off and linked things up. That was positive.”