CHRIS SUTTON believes that Daizen Maeda ‘worked his socks off’ at Hampden during Celtic’s defeat against The Rangers on Sunday.

The January signing started in the central role after being deployed on the wings in recent weeks. The position change didn’t stop the striker from chasing down the Ibrox’s defence, coming close several times to nicking the ball.

Sutton was impressed by Maeda’s performance, writing in the Daily Record;

 “I thought Callum McGregor played well.

“Cameron Carter-Vickers was his usual excellent self in defence although he missed the huge chance to finish Rangers off at 1-0.

“Other than that? Daizen Maeda was a one-man closing down machine again and worked his socks off but the service into him wasn’t great. Joe Hart did okay.”

There weren’t many starring performances from either side at Hampden on Sunday. It was a tightly contested game with the outcome more or less matching the on-field performance.

Celtic missed Giakoumakis who missed the game due to injury. If he was fit, Maeda would have started on the wing, where many fans believe he’s better suited.

The squad need to dust themselves down and prepare for their trip to Dingwall next weekend. They can’t leave the highlands with less than three points.