Daizen Maeda<\/a> was one of several members of Rodgers\u2019 team who weren\u2019t quite doing the business in terms of testing the Red Star defence.<\/p>\n This led the Hoops boss to take the proactive decision to take the Japanese forward off at the break \u2013 despite resting him at Firhill on Sunday.<\/p>\n Speaking after the match, the Hoops boss lifted the lid on the half-time change.<\/p>\n Brendan Rodgers on substituting Daizen Maeda at half-time<\/p>\n Rodgers facilitated the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho<\/a> after the closure after the transfer window, familiar with the Nigerian forward from his time at Leicester.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Joe Hart can\u2019t resist raving about Celtic man despite \u2018biting his tongue\u2019 during Euro performance<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Rodgers made his thought process on his decision clear.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWe needed someone centrally to hold the ball up. I felt that we arrived into the final third in the first half, and we were either loose with the ball, or didn\u2019t hold the ball up.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of Kels\u2019 great strengths, is that he can take the ball in, he can use his body well and obviously that allows you to progress the ball up the pitch. So he gave us a really much better platform in the second half.<\/p>\n \u201c[Daizen] wasn\u2019t at his best, or nowhere near it. But he\u2019s a good guy. Sometimes that happens in the game. I could\u2019ve made a couple of changes at half time.<\/p>\n \u201cThat gave us that greater reference at the top of the pitch. I thought Kels came in and was really good for us.\u201d<\/p>\n It certainly raises questions about the side\u2019s forward options and what they offer.<\/p>\n Can Daizen Maeda play as a striker for Celtic in Europe?<\/p>\n![\"Daizen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2236774128-1024x682.jpg\")
Photo by PREDRAG MILOSAVLJEVIC\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n