Can Daizen Maeda find that spark that saw him win Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year last season?
Just like Celtic, it has been a troublesome campaign for Maeda, who has been nowhere near his best, as off-field noise hasn’t helped matters.
Maeda wanted to leave in the summer, but Celtic didn’t grant him his wish, and then he watched Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill, Wilfried Nancy, and O’Neill again take to the dugout.
Thankfully, on O’Neill’s second return this term, Celtic beat Dundee United on Saturday, with Maeda scoring, but he didn’t look particularly pleased.
Chris Sutton on Daizen Maeda’s mood during Celtic’s win over Dundee United
Strikers and forward players can be moody if they aren’t scoring, even if their team is winning.
Celtic were cruising against Dundee United before Maeda netted the fourth, and as Chris Sutton touched upon, he did ‘miss a couple of chances early on.’
But, as Sutton stated on Sky Sports Football, there was ‘a bit of frustration’ with Maeda after he scored, including how he didn’t crack a smile when taking high fives with his teammates, as the footage showed after the match.
And then Kris (Boyd’s) Player of the Season, Daizen Maeda, missed a couple of chances early on,” said Sutton.
“Maybe a bit of frustration there after that finish. He had missed a couple. It’s really important that Celtic keep him.
Maeda’s stats for Celtic against Dundee United
One thing is for sure, under O’Neill, Maeda has looked more lively and a threat than when Rodgers was here at the start of the season, and then Nancy’s ill-fated spell.
Hopefully, that sparks the Japan star to go goal-crazy, just like he did during the second half of last season.
If he does that, then Celtic’s chances of winning the title will increase, as WhoScored gave him a rating of 7.78 for his performance against Dundee United.
Minutes: 72
Shots: 3
Shots on target: 2
Goals: 1
Dribbles: 1
Fouled: 1
Aerials won: 1
Touches: 26