Daizen Maeda has been questioned after Celtic’s dramatic win over Kilmarnock.
During the international break, Maeda told Japanese media that he told Celtic he wanted to leave in the summer, but an exit was blocked.
Brendan Rodgers explained that Celtic were not in a position to sell Maeda, but it appears likely he will be moved on in January.
Despite all of this, Rodgers trusts Maeda to give his all and he started the 2-1 win over Killie at Rugby Park on Sunday.
- READ MORE: Andy Halliday says ‘too passive’ Celtic star is doing something that he’s never seen before
Maeda’s Celtic celebration against Kilmarnock under scrutiny
Maeda opened the scoring with a tremendous diving header for the Bhoys, before celebrating by kissing the Celtic badge on his jersey.
But Open Goal pundits Andy Halliday, Si Ferry and Paul Slane have pulled Maeda up having said he wants to leave Celtic, but ends up kissing the badge.
Slane: “I was a bit shocked when that came out about Maeda, saying that he was leaving.”
Halliday: “Well what about his celebration? Kissing the badge but he’s choking to leave. Punching the badge.
Slane: “Kissing the badge, that’s sensational isn’t it?”
Ferry: “Such a brass neck, isn’t it?”
Ross McCormack’s comments about Maeda debunked
Maeda played as a central striker for Celtic and some think his finishing isn’t up to scratch to be played there consistently for the Hoops.
Former Rangers youngster Ross McCormack is one, saying just a couple of weeks ago that Maeda is definitely not a striker.
He said: “He’s not a striker for me. He can’t f***ing kick the ball properly! He can’t finish or kick the ball right!
“Cup final one on one? Old Firm one on one? Champions League (against Kairat Almaty)? No, no, no, he’s not a striker.
“A striker for me is somebody who you can hang your hat on to finish. What is he then? Everybody sits deep against Celtic so what’s the point of him playing up front?”
Well, Maeda’s lethal header in the middle of the box against Kilmarnock proves one thing: the Japanese star is more than capable.
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