Daizen Maeda left The Scotsman’s Mark Atkinson unimpressed following Celtic’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen.
Maeda started in Celtic’s first game back following the World Cup break as Callum McGregor’s late winner finally saw Ange Postecoglou’s side break through Aberdeen.
The 25-year-old failed to continue his World Cup form where he bagged in Japan’s round of 16 defeat against Croatia, as he struggled on the right-wing for the Bhoys with him frustratingly subbed off at half-time.
Despite his success at the World Cup, the Japanese has been unable to provide a reliable end product with only four goals and four assists coming in 22 games this season, with the Aberdeen game seeing him fail to kick on.
The Scotsman’s Atkinson gave Maeda a four out of ten match rating which was the joint lowest of Celtic’s starters alongside Kyogo Furuhashi who wasted a huge chance to take the lead earlier.
“Less than two weeks after scoring at the World Cup for Japan against Croatia, the forward was tasked with giving Celtic pace down the right flank. Plenty of endeavor but little end product, getting no change out of Jack MacKenzie, and was replaced at half time by Liel Abada. 4,” Atkinson stated.
TIF Thoughts on Atkinson’s comments…
Maeda’s season for the Hoops was almost summed up with that first-half performance with him struggling to produce much end product.
The right-winger’s biggest impact was his defensive and combative work as he won three tackles and six out of seven duels during only 45 minutes on the pitch.
However, he failed to record a single shot, successful dribble or successful cross as his impact in the final third was completely snuffed out by the Aberdeen defence and most prominently by Jack MacKenzie, as well as losing possession seven times.
Celtic are back in action in four days’ time against Livingston but it remains to be seen if Maeda will keep his place with his replacement Liel Abada fairing better in the second half as he had two shots on target as well as creating one big chance.