Maeda<\/a> had his \u2018head turned\u2019 because he wanted to leave Celtic in the summer, and he never got his wish.<\/p>\nBut speaking on Go Radio, McPake wanted to debunk all of that, as he stated that people in Scotland are \u2018too quick to write people off.\u2019 <\/p>\n
McPake noted that Maeda can\u2019t always produce his \u2018prime\u2019 performances, and it\u2019s normal for players just to have a dip in form. <\/p>\n
\u201cI heard something as well, an interview the other night, and they are talking about Maeda,\u201d said McPake.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust how his head had been turned. He hasn\u2019t been the same player at Celtic. They should have got rid of him then. Done this, and done that. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a country, we are just too quick to write people off. How about he is just going through a bad bit of form? Just because he hasn\u2019t been, as you said there, prime Daizen Maeda from last season. You can\u2019t be that way all the time. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe was excellent against Feyenoord. Hopefully, he is going to get back to that, because we need players.\u201d<\/p>\n
McPake on the negative noise around Celtic<\/p>\n
You would have to go back a very long way to match the chaos that has engulfed Glasgow this season. <\/p>\n
For the first time in history, Celtic and Rangers have parted ways with their managers in the same campaign, and many dark clouds have been hovering over both clubs.<\/p>\n
But once again, McPake hasn\u2019t liked the negative way the Hoops have been perceived. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing, the Scottish football fans, we are in a stage, at the minute, any time Celtic are playing, any time. Rangers are playing in Europe, that we are all worried,\u201d added McPake. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur game is going to take a bashing because both teams are going to lose. That\u2019s not the way it should be. It\u2019s just about getting that back. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd confidence is a big part of that. Martin (O\u2019Neill) coming in \u2013 that\u2019s starting to gather a wee bit of pace again.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Reo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2248749603-1024x709.jpg\")
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos\/Getty ImagesJames McPake defends Celtic star Daizen Maeda<\/p>\n