Duran is a great replacement for Daizen, just leave it there, Charlie | OneFootball

Camilo Duran is a great replacement for Daizen Maeda, but to say he’s already better is disrespectful to our Japanese icon…

Camilo Duran of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Camilo Duran has impressed plenty of people during his short time at the club, even more so after his midweek heroics against LASK in the 3-0 Champions League play off win at Celtic Park.

Signed for a fee believed to be worth upwards of £6 million from Azerbaijan side Qarabag, the player has impressed with his boundless energy, and ability in front of goal, naturally leading to comparisons with the man he’s said to have replaced – Daizen Maeda.

Former Celtic skipper Charlie Mulgrew is one of those who believes that the Colombian is similar to the Japanese International, even claiming that he’s an upgrade on the man who left for Ipswich in a £10 million deal.

Mulgrew recently told Go Radio listeners:

“What a player. The work back the way [is] similar to Maeda used to do, the way he works back.

“The difference is that Maeda was a bit of a speedboat with no driver at times. Take nothing away from him, that’s no disrespect to him – because a lot of the time, he done what he done for the job – but technically, he wasn’t the best.

Celtic’s new signing Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan IMAGO/ Shutterstock

“Duran looks technically very good. Those two finishes last night tell you everything that you need to know about him. He keeps his on it [for the first goal], finishes it, and sometimes you can get lucky with them.

“The second strike shows that he’s not lucky, he opens his foot up, uses the defender and guides it past him. It’s just goals that Maeda might’ve snatched at, would’ve went over the bar, we’ve seen him go down the line a few times, make a cross out the pitch.

“Duran just looks another level again, and it’s a definite upgrade. It’s a great signing, £4.5 million is great business.”

Duran looks a shrewd acquisition that’s for sure, and he has the potential to be a terrific player for Celtic, but stating that he’s already an upgrade on Daizen is disrespectful to the popular Japanese striker who achieved so much in the Hoops.

Daizen had a successful four and a half year stay at the club, making 212 appearances, and scoring 79 goals.

He won a total of 10 honours, and scored in Derby games, cup finals, and big European fixtures, he seen and done it all, and is rightly loved and respected by the Celtic supporters.

Camilo Duran is his own man, and hopefully will replicate, and even succeed Daizen’s success at the club, but to say he’s already an upgrade on the Japanese Icon, is disrespectful to say the least.

Daizen is world class in so many ways but technically Camilo clearly looks better. Maeda played at Celtic for four and a half years, I doubt that we’ll get that length of service out of Duran especially if he continues with his goalscoring exploits like the two he scored on Wednesday night against LASK.

Both players are extra special, the biggest plus for us is that we enjoyed one and now have the other to relish over the coming few seasons.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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