DAIZEN MAEDA insists he is being played out of position at Celtic.
The Japanese speedster has been appearing on the right wing is recent times while £5.2million new Bhoy Sebastian Tounekti has been given the nod on the opposite flank.
Maeda, who has also struggled with injuries, has also lost his spearhead role with Johnny Kenny leading the line in Martin O’Neill’s four comeback games and claiming four goals during the appearances.
It has been a frustrating first half to the season for the 28-year-old forward who looked as though he was on his way in the summer window. According to reports across the border, he is being eyed by FIVE Premier League clubs who could make their moves in January.
HAPPY DIAZ…Japanese ace Daizen Maeda displays his delight in the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final win over Ibrox opposition at Hampden earlier this month.
Davie Moyes’ Everton, Brentford, West Ham, Leeds United and Wolves have all been linked with the forward who fired in 33 goals for the champions during the previous campaign.
The scoring rate has dropped off alarmingly with last season’s Player of the Year notching a mere four this time around.
One factor for the lack of strikes could be his positional switch and Maeda claimed: “Right now with Celtic, I’m playing in a position that’s not my natural position on the team, on the right wing.
“But I am not in bad shape and I managed to score in our last game.”
Maeda is currently with the international squad as they prepare for two home games in the Kirin Cup against Ghana and Bolivia.
Japan have already qualified for the World Cup Finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer and the Hoops star, who joined from Yokohama F Marinos in January 2022, is determined to be involved in the soccer showpiece.
Maeda, speaking in a report in the Glasgow Times, added: “I felt it was really important for me to be in this camp because I missed the last one and the next one isn’t until March. Plus we have a World Cup coming up.
“Personally, I feel like it’s going to be tough for me to make the starting line-up.
“But I am happy to try and make an impact as a substitute if need be.
“I’ve been discussing my role with the coach, Hajime Moriyasu, and I am ready to play if I am called upon.”
PRE-ORDER NOW AND GET £5 OFF! Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book will be available later this month. Order a copy now and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. Be among the first to receive this sensational publication. Just click the image.
