Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Sun 12 April 2026 8:00, UK

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Daizen Maeda’s form at Celtic has been woeful for some time now, and this was on show during their 1-0 victory over St Mirren on Saturday.

Despite a decent first-half performance from the hosts, they were forced to drag themselves over the line at Celtic Park to secure the three points.

St Mirren came out after the break fighting and could have easily secured a draw on another day.

Attacking-wise, Celtic were terrible for big periods of the second half, with Maeda not helping the situation.

Against St Mirren, many of his stats were awful, and he was perhaps lucky to make it to the end of the game without being subbed in Celtic’s tight victory.

Daizen Maeda struggled once again vs St Mirren

Maeda’s lack of goal contributions for Celtic has been a major talking point for months.

Yet, as every game goes by, Martin O’Neill continues to pick the attacker in his starting XI.

However, against St Mirren, he was particularly poor, with nothing happening down his left flank.

According to Fotmob on 11 April, the Japan international created just one chance, produced a 0.21 expected assist rate, completed 76 per cent of his passes, did not complete a successful dribble, saw 80 per cent of his crosses miss a Hoops player, and was dispossessed twice.

Thanks for your support, Celts! 👏#CELSTM | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/ZbQ5p3qBUY

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 11, 2026

For a player of Maeda’s standards, this was simply terrible as he continuously lost the ball while creating nothing.

As a result, O’Neill has to drop the attacker before it costs Celtic points, and potentially the Scottish Premiership title.

Will Maeda be a Celtic player next season?

Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Celtic are prepared to sell Maeda in the summer transfer window.

The Bhoys are preparing to accept offers for the 28-year-old if they come in, with the club hierarchy now of the feeling that there is “no chance” that he will sign a new contract.

As a result, the upcoming matches could easily be Maeda’s last in a Celtic shirt.

Therefore, the Japan international will surely want to go out on a high and end his goalless streak as soon as possible.

Hopefully, if he is given a chance next weekend, he can find a goal in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.