Maeda says need for speed can get Kyogo firing again
Daizen Maeda is confident his pace can help keep his Celtic strike partner Kyogo Furuhahsi firing again.
Kyogo hit 27 goals last season to finish the campaign as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer.
However, it has been a different story this year. Prior to yesterday’s game against Livingston, he had claimed just half a dozen and none since early November.
“I was watching the games when I was injured and the team was lacking pace,” said Maeda, newly returned after a six-week absence with a knee issue.
“One of our strengths is to have the pace and speed in the front third.
“It is not just Kyogo’s fault not being able to score the goals.
“It is just the team has not been working well overall.
“His strongest point is to be available from the blind side of centrebacks. That is where his quickness and agility come in.
“When we cross in, it is easier for opponents to defend because, when we have the ball, they are ready for that. It is a bit difficult for him to convert them to goals.
“If I can provide him with the pace then he can beat defenders more quickly than he has been able to do when I am not in the team.
“Hopefully, I can play and be an asset to him. Kyogo scoring more regularly would also help Celtic do better.”
With manager Brendan Rodgers frank about just how big a miss Maeda was to the team in the time he was out, that seems a given.
Maeda is philosophical, meanwhile, about the incident that led to his lengthy absence.
He came off worst in a challenge with Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso in the club’s Champions League clash, damaging his knee.
Insult was then added to the injury when a VAR intervention upgraded his booking to a red card.
What would have been a tough enough night in Spain for the Scottish champions, anyway, became an ordeal with the final scoreline 6-0 to Atletico.
“First of all, about the tackles. I feel sorry for the team because I have been sent off,” he said.
“However, looking at the incident, I am the one being kicked by the player.
“But it is football and things can happen and that is how I have dealt with these kinds of situations in my career.
“After that he just turned my mind to the rehab and getting ready to be back playing again.
“That has now happened.
“I am involved in playing in the matches again and I want to give my best in every one to help us improve our results.”