Daizen Maeda’s name was among the scorers in Celtic’s 7-1 victory over Dundee, marking a rare moment of celebration in what has been a challenging season for the forward.
Despite his relentless work rate and pace, Maeda has found goals hard to come by, with just four strikes in 21 appearances.
The Japanese international’s struggles in front of goal have been a point of frustration for both the player and fans alike. Instances like the recent match against Motherwell highlight this issue, where Maeda squandered two golden opportunities to secure a win for his team.
Such moments have underscored a season of ‘what could have been’ for the striker, as he has often been in the right place at the right time but failed to convert chances into goals.
However, against Dundee, Maeda managed to break his dry spell with a superb goal that left fans in awe. The image captured in the aftermath of his strike tells a story of amazement and delight among the Celtic fans, who have been eager to see Maeda succeed.
The faces in the crowd when Maeda put that one away 😂
It was some finish from a player who has passed up some absolute sitters this season. pic.twitter.com/e2uB3GM86L
— Craig (@CraigCelt) February 29, 2024
This season may not have been Maeda’s most prolific, but his contribution goes beyond just goals. His speed, pressing from the front, and ability to create space for others have been invaluable to Celtic’s attacking dynamics. Yet, for Maeda to cement his place in the team and win over the supporters fully, converting chances into goals will be crucial.
