Daizen Maeda played a pivotal part in Celtic earning a hard-fought point against Rangers on Sunday at Ibrox.
Martin O’Neill initially deployed the Celtic attacker on the left flank, before shifting him through the middle after trailing 2-0 at half-time.
Kris Boyd believes that in the build-up to Celtic being awarded a penalty after Dujon Sterling’s handball, the Rangers defence were ‘terrified’ of Maeda.
“I mean, it’s brilliant from Maeda, but as a defensive unit, again, from Rangers, there have to be questions asked,” said Boyd.
“I get that you are terrified of his pace. What is Fernandez doing? He is in no-man’s land there. He takes John Souttar under the ball, but he is the only one who reacts.”
Daizen Maeda earns praise for his part in Celtic’s penalty against Rangers:
In previous seasons, Maeda has regularly troubled Rangers, though this campaign he hasn’t quite hit the same heights and appears to have lost some of that sharpness.
Even so — and with James Tavernier watching from the sidelines after years of being given a torrid time by the Japan international — Celtic’s fan favourite still influenced this massive encounter.
Tavernier may no longer have been on the field, but the same shirts and same nerves were evident when Maeda charged forward, as Boyd highlighted on Sky Sports Football.
“But if you go back to it, it’s great movement from Maeda as well,” said Boyd in the lead-up to Celtic’s penalty.
“He takes John Souttar beyond the front post and then gets away two or three yards to get the header as well.
“I mean, it’s brilliant from Maeda, but as a defensive unit, again, from Rangers, there have to be questions asked.
“I get that you are terrified of his pace. What is Fernandez doing? He is in no-man’s land there. He takes John Souttar under the ball, but he is the only one who reacts.
“The rest are just flat-footed. Standing there. Somebody else will do my job. Dujon Sterling comes in. You can see the arms outstretched. It’s handball. It’s brilliant from Maeda. But again, from Rangers’ point of view, the defending is shocking.”
Where does Maeda fit in against Rangers in the Scottish Cup clash?
Celtic head back to Ibrox this weekend for another blockbuster meeting — this time with a spot in the Scottish Cup semi-final at stake.
The big dilemma is how O’Neill sets up his forward line, and whether Maeda keeps his place. Much could hinge on Celtic’s midweek showdown away to Aberdeen.
If Sebastian Tounekti is handed a start and impresses, it would be difficult to dislodge him from the left wing.
Similarly, should Tomas Cvancara return to the starting XI after being an unused substitute for the league encounter at Ibrox, it would once more raise doubts over Maeda’s role.
Having received a 6.1 rating from Sofascore for his display at Ibrox, there may not be a groundswell of support for Maeda to begin the cup tie — despite his decisive involvement late on against Rangers.
Minutes played: 90
Total shots: 3
Big chances missed: 1
Accurate passes: 9/13
Accurate passes in opposition half: 5/8
Touches: 25
Unsuccessful touches: 1
Was fouled: 1
Possession lost: 8
Carries: 8
Sofascore rating: 6.1