Daizen Maeda’s early exit in Celtic’s 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone this afternoon has raised eyebrows among the support, with questions swirling over whether the substitution was tactical or injury-related. The Japanese forward, who’s been in excellent goal-scoring form of late, was replaced by Adam Idah just after the hour mark, a move that caught many by surprise.
Maeda didn’t have one of his better afternoons, struggling to impose himself in a frustrating outing for the whole team. Still, given his unbelievable recent form in front of goal, there was a clear expectation that he would be the man to spark a comeback. Instead, his number went up on 61 minutes, and Idah entered the game—an attacking change on paper, but one that didn’t deliver the intended result.
Idah, who has struggled for form in recent months, again failed to make an impact. Since his permanent move from Norwich, the Irishman has only shown flashes of promise, and those have become fewer as the weeks roll on.
The lack of threat in the final third today will no doubt reignite questions around his role in the team and whether Rodgers made the right call by withdrawing Maeda when the game was still finely balanced.
If Maeda was carrying a knock, supporters will be understanding, but if it was simply a tactical move, then it’s one that hasn’t paid off. Celtic lacked the energy and sharpness in the final third that Maeda often brings, and in a match where one goal could have swung the momentum, that spark was sorely missed.
There’s no official word yet from the club on whether Maeda’s withdrawal was down to injury, but fans will be hoping for clarity sooner rather than later.
With the business end of the season fast approaching and every point vital, keeping one of Celtic’s most in-form attackers on the pitch feels more important than ever.
