This time last season, Daizen Maeda was preparing to go goal crazy in Celtic colours and guide the club to a double under Brendan Rodgers.
It would eventually result in Maeda winning Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year, but it’s fair to say that he is far from that this season, and won’t even get a mention.
But he isn’t the only one in that boat because Reo Hatate is also sinking, alongside his fellow countryman, at Celtic this term.
Despite Celtic producing late, late shows during the past week, the duo from Japan aren’t being seen in a great light.
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Change my mind…
Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda slammed for their Celtic performances
It has been well-documented that Maeda wanted to leave in the summer, but he never got his wish, and he has been playing like that this season.
Many feel Hatate also wanted to leave, although he hasn’t spoken publicly about it.
Either way, Frank McAvennie isn’t happy with what he is seeing and has suggested that their heads are elsewhere.
Speaking on his Let Me Be Frank Podcast, McAvennie, post the win over Kilmarnock, didn’t hold back in how he felt about the duo.
Simon Houston: “Hatate, do you think that is it? Do you think Hatate’s story is over?”
Frank McAvennie: “I think he is a wonderful player. But I think him and Maeda have lost interest in Celtic. It looks like it. It looks to me.
“I am thinking ‘two great servants and players for Celtic.’ You don’t become that bad after being that good.”
Houston: “Maeda used to always be like worth two players, because of his intensity, speed and press. It looks as though his head is elsewhere.”
Hatate and Maeda numbers for Celtic against Kilmarnock
When Celtic were 2-0 down at the break, Martin O’Neill had seen enough, and he hooked off three players, including Hatate.
It wasn’t a surprise, and he had no complaints, because he couldn’t keep hold of the ball, and wasn’t providing anything without it either.
Maeda would follow suit soon after, being subbed off after the hour mark, as Celtic would complete their comeback without the Ange Postecoglou signings.
- Hatate’s minutes against Kilmarnock: 45
- Shots: 1
- Passes: 25
- Passing accuracy: 84%
- Key Passes: 1
- Dispossessed: 1
- Touches: 29
- WhoScored rating: 5.95
- Maeda’s minutes against Kilmarnock: 62
- Shots: 3
- Passes: 24
- Passing accuracy: 83.3%
- Touches: 44
- Unsuccessful touches: 3
- Fouls: 1
- Dribbles: 2
- WhoScored rating: 6.92
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