If not on the wing, where does Maeda find space?

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Brendan Rodgers post-match press conference in Yokohama was interesting on two fronts.  Almost a year after sustaining a shoulder injury, the manager revealed Kyogo did not start the game as the same issue left him short of the fitness levels even his team-mates were at.  If the medics have not resolved the issue by now, it is likely Kyogo will have a persistent weakness in the joint.

A more positive note was struck when discussing Daizen Maeda, Rogers said, “I thought Daizen was outstanding. I like him more through the middle. I think he does a good job on the side, but there is a reason he plays for Japan through the middle.”

This could be taken for a platitude to a player who scored a hat-trick, but Brendan added detail, “I like players at the top end who can really press the game and Daizen can definitely do that.

“It’s just about adding to players’ development. Daizen is still a young player who can improve. Of course, his strength is running in behind, but sometimes there won’t always be that space. So, can we develop his game and get him into areas he can work the defenders?”

That last point is critical.  In 90% of Celtic’s domestic games there is no space for Daizen to exploit, at first pass, his greatest asset is unsuited to our game.  “Can we develop his game and get him into areas he can work the defenders?”

I have no idea what that will look like.  The best example of Daizen at Celtic was at Ibrox in January, when he ran through the opposition defence to open the scoring, but that game was ultimately rescued by the innate ability of Kyogo to find space inside the box.  When fit, Kyogo will remain out top striker this season.

It has been four years since Brendan watched a bank of five defenders on the edge of their box with another four a few yards in front, so close, they could almost hold hands, his memory of what’s in store may be more generous to our standard opponents than they deserve.  Working them is entirely desirable, I just don’t see where Daizen will do this, if not on the wing.

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495 Comments

  1. Gave my wife a surprise 65th birthday party

     

     

    She was shocked

     

     

    She was only 60

  2. bigrailroadblues on

    Gene

     

    Enough 😂

     

    Coneybhoy and BelmontBrian will be on soon to add to the hilarity. 🙄

  3. TheLurkinTim on

    Bought a chameleon but it refused to change colour….took it back to the pet shop to complain….seems it had a reptile disfunction

     

     

    I’ll see myself out

  4. paulsthroughball88 on

    THELURKINTIM on 22ND JULY 2023 7:42 PM

     

     

    “Bought a chameleon but it refused to change colour….took it back to the pet shop to complain….seems it had a reptile disfunction”

     

     

    I’ll see myself out.

     

    _______________________________

     

     

    That’s a bit hard on the poor lizard.

  5. Melvin Udall on

    THELURKINTIM on 22ND JULY 2023 7:42 PM

     

    —————

     

    Made me laugh. 😂😂😂👍

  6. GENE on 22ND JULY 2023 7:32 PM

     

    Gave my wife a surprise 65th birthday party

     

     

     

     

     

     

    She was shocked

     

     

     

     

     

     

    She was only 60

     

     

     

    ————————

     

     

    This is absolutely true.

     

     

    My dad had 13 siblings, his youngest sister, Patsy, is my god mother.

     

    A season ticket holder since we went back to Celtic Park, I see her most at games, rather than family occasions, which i am notorious for not attending , usually because i was away with work or they clashed with a celtic game (bizarre anyone does this, who gets married during the fitba season.)

     

     

    Some years ago, her daughter sends me a meassage, Patsy has her very special birthday coming up and is having just a meal at celtic park, only the aunites and uncles are invited but you are also because you are her god son, and you make her proud.

     

     

    So pulling on the old heart strings. I said i need to go, i cant not go.

     

     

    A special birthday is says, but i dont know her age, but i do know she retired some years earlier, so I try to work out the age based on the other siblings in order, so a wee gift and a Happy 70th birthday card.

     

     

    I got to the Number 7, her man is on the stairs takes the gift and card, and opens the door for me.

     

     

    Pride of place is patsy, stting under two balloons, a 6 and a 7.

     

     

    the card went down a treat.

  7. bigrailroadblues on

    Good evening all from the Vogue. Usual suspects telling hellish jokes. Love it. 😆

  8. I asked this 95 year old man why after 70 years of marriage he still called his wife darling, honey and luv.

     

    I forgot her name 10 years ago and haven’t got the nerve to ask her.

  9. The returnof weeron on

    I was not surprised by Hatate’s comment today. I thought that, after others signed new contracts, the fact that Reo and CCV were not on that list was very telling.

     

     

    Maybe, just maybe, we are waiting for CCV’s injury to clear up….but we MUST have made Reo an offer.

     

     

    I only hope that he stays till next summer, giving us the opportunity to sign a replacement in January.

     

    Ronnie

  10. Weeron,

     

     

    No one in for him.Celtic hold all the cards.Not surprising he wants the EPL.Most do,and we want them to.Think next season he will be off.Big pay day for us whenever.

  11. The returnof weeron on

    For sure. I just don’t want any shenanigans during the season.

     

     

    I hope that CCV isn’t in the same boat.

     

    Ronnie

  12. Tom McLaughlin on

    CCV is only a year into a 4-year contract. Why would we want it extended now?

  13. 1944: Bobby Evans signs for Celtic.

     

    https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/e950908f62d072ec9f84bfa7eb871103

     

     

    https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/6do29wCoTeCA7JGBJPjsaw1884399

     

     

    https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/FlTc-nbXwAIAPti1.jpg

     

     

    1945: Jimmy McStay is sacked as Celtic Manager – Jimmy McGrory takes over.

     

     

     

    1974: George McCluskey signs professional forms with Celtic.

     

     

    https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/JBYfb65T3sRMA_ytyNqPfw550180

  14. garygillespieshamstring on

    Why give CCV a new contract before he proves he is fit after the injury? I don’t imagine anyone is going to pitch up with serious money and a long term contract for him until they are sure he is back to 100%.

  15. TheLurkinTim on

    SFTB…izzat Tour De France….wer none of the riders are juiced ;-))

     

     

    H.H.

  16. SCULLYBHOY on 22ND JULY 2023 9:34 PM

     

    1944: Bobby Evans signs for Celtic

     

     

    Young players: sitting, Mike Jackson, John Colrain

     

    Standing: Dunky McKay, Eric Smith and Bertie

  17. Morning all from a grey skied Borrowstounness!

     

     

    Family BBQ today so hoping weather improves.

     

     

    Fingers crossed!

  18. We will be fine summer camp in Portugal over to Japan next Ireland making money and new fans and friends on tour. Meanwhile skint fc needing the pennies have 3 home games and trying to bed in players who wouldn’t get in our squad. Another trebles loading bhoys.

  19. All Ireland hurling final on today between Limerick, the favourites, and Kilkenny at Croke Park. Throw-in is at 3.30 CPT and the match will be on RTÉ. It’s a great game to watch if you can access it.

  20. Parkheadcumsalford on 22nd July 2023 9:39 pm

     

     

    Scullybhoy,

     

     

    Is that George Young with Bobby Evans?

     

     

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

     

    Yip, George Young.

     

     

    HH

  21. 1995: The Huddle was performed for the first time

     

     

    “I don’t like to put a patent on it. But I take a great sense of pride in it. It was nothing to do with my wife, as has been wrongly reported. It came out of adversity. The Celtic players needed to show real unity and togetherness. We needed to show the supporters we cared.”

     

    Tony Mowbray (originator of The Huddle at Celtic)

     

     

    https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/2foiwX03TN5cqN2O3EF8wg833615

     

     

    https://wikifoundryimages.s3.amazonaws.com/ZG9tIjLAaZq5j97V4M1z3A489294

     

     

    2014: Celtic Park hosted the spectacular opening of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

     

     

    https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/24/article-2703216-1FEAF88800000578-75_964x652.jpg