Martin O’Neill hailed Daizen Maeda’s resurgence after the Japan international powered Celtic to a 3-1 victory over Falkirk, moving the Hoops level on points with Premiership leaders Hearts. Maeda netted twice and set up Kieran Tierney, showcasing his relentless pressing and clinical finishing.
Maeda's Impact
The first two goals stemmed directly from Maeda closing down opponents, and he finished smartly for the third after substitute Kyrell Wilson had pulled one back for Falkirk. O’Neill praised Maeda’s work ethic, noting his ability to create chances from nothing.
“Last week he gets a goal out of nothing from closing down. His closing down is amazing. Even in the 85th minute, he closes someone down. I thought he was brilliant,” O’Neill said.
Struggles and Comeback
The 28-year-old has struggled to replicate last season’s form, when he scored 33 club goals and won Scotland’s player of the year awards. Before last weekend’s goal, Maeda had netted only eight times this season, with his last goal coming on January 10. A summer move to Wolfsburg collapsed amid Celtic’s difficulties signing attacking players, which O’Neill believes may have affected Maeda.
“It may well have been that move to the Bundesliga may have affected him at the time. Maybe he thought he was all set up – or so I believe, I wasn’t here at the time. I think he had maybe done his job here and felt: ‘Well, maybe I deserve to go to the Bundesliga.’ And when it didn’t happen, and apparently it may have been at the 11th hour, there will be a natural disappointment,” O’Neill added.
Other Premiership Action
Aberdeen secured a nervy 1-0 win over relegation rivals Kilmarnock, with Afeez Aremu scoring the early opener. Kilmarnock hit the crossbar three times, but Aberdeen held on to open a five-point gap over the playoff spot.
Bottom-placed Livingston earned a slim lifeline with a 2-0 win at St Mirren. An own goal from Alex Gogic and a strike from substitute Scott Pittman sealed only Livingston’s second league victory of the season.
Rangers host Motherwell on Sunday, while leaders Hearts visit Hibernian. Dundee United face Dundee in Sunday’s early game.
