Daizen Maeda -“33 goals last season, a bit of a pickle Celtic are in,” Chris Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·25 settembre 2025

Daizen Maeda -“33 goals last season, a bit of a pickle Celtic are in,” Chris Sutton

Chris Sutton believes Celtic aren’t getting the best out of Daizen Maeda in his current role and must adjust their tactical approach to maximise his impact…

Maeda started Celtic’s Europa League opener with Red Star Belgrade but was substituted at the break. At the time, it was unclear whether the change was due to an injury or simply a tactical call, though Brendan Rodgers made it clear it was a tactical tweak.

Kelechi Iheanacho scores for Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

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Coming off the bench for Maeda, new summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho fired Celtic in front, but veteran Marko Arnautovic soon equalised to bring the game back level.

Sutton admitted he sympathises with Maeda if his substitution wasn’t injury-related, arguing the forward is being played out of position and would be more effective operating out wide than through the middle.

Taking to X just after half-time, Sutton said: “Maeda off… if he’s not injured I feel for him. A guy who was a revelation playing wide shoehorned into playing a position he’s not comfortable in… surely playing him off the right would be better. 33 goals last season… a bit of a pickle Celtic are in.”

At full-time, the Celtic hero also gave his assessment of the Hoops’ valuable point: “Draw about right,” he said. “Celtic better with Iheanacho as centre forward as they have a focal point and someone to play off… need to utilise Maeda better… Donovan mature beyond his years.”

Colby Donovan of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Rodgers also explained post-match why he substituted the Japanese forward: “We needed someone centrally to hold the ball up,” he told TNT Sports. “I felt that we arrived into the final third in the first half and we were either loose with the ball or didn’t hold the ball up.”

“That’s one of Kels’ greatest strengths, he can take the ball in and use his body well. He [Maeda] wasn’t at his best, or nowhere near it. However, he’s a good guy, and sometimes that happens in the game.”

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“I could’ve made a couple of changes at half-time. I wanted to make that one to give us a reference at the top of the pitch. I thought Kels came in and was very good for us.”

Conor Spence

"Nice first step in the competition!" Brendan Rodgers reflects on Celtic’s draw with Red Star 💬 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK
– mercoledì 24 settembre 2025

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