Daizen Maeda is scoring goals again for Celtic.
The start of the season didn’t go to plan for Celtic or Maeda, who looked and played like the shadow of the player who won Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year during the previous campaign.
But during Martin O’Neill’s interim period, Maeda has found that groove, aggression and no-nonsense nature to his game, including scoring during Celtic’s win over Dundee on Wednesday night.
Just like Arne Engels against Hibernian, the Japan star put his head where it hurt because he went powering in with his head to score, and took a blow to the side of his face for his troubles.
Martin O’Neill jokes he is a ‘complete coward’ after Maeda header
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Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesDaizen Maeda’s bruised face after Celtic beat Dundee
Maeda required some lengthy treatment during the match, and Celtic were playing with ten men for a small period of time.
But in typical Maeda style, he was back on that pitch again, powering around the pitch and producing another Man of the Match display.
After the game, the versatile forward took to social media to thank the Celtic fans for their support, all whilst showing off a bruised and battered right eye.
Maeda’s ratings under Martin O’Neill
The hope now is that Maeda continues this form under new boss Wilfried Nancy.
If that happens, then it will be a matter of time before Celtic are sitting at the top of the Premiership table.
But this is how Maeda was rated by WhoScored under O’Neill’s time in charge:
Vs Falkirk, 24 minutes played, 6.01 ratingVs Rangers, N/A ratingVs FC Midtjylland, 45 minutes played, 6.45 ratingVs Kilmarnock, 90 minutes played, 7.82 rating (one goal)Vs St Mirren, 90 minutes played, 6.11 ratingVs Feyenoord, 90 minutes played, 7.64 rating (two assists and MOTM)Vs Hibernian, 90 minutes played, 7.53 rating (One goal, MOTM)Vs Dundee, 90 minutes played, 7.17 rating (One goal, MOTM) Join Our Newsletter
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