Ex-Celtic star ‘wowed’ as Maeda claim made before Rangers clash
Daizen Maeda could follow in the footsteps of Giorgos Giakoumakis and explode at Celtic next season.
That’s according to former West Ham hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Japan star’s start to life at Parkhead.
Since moving to Celtic in January, Maeda has scored six goals in 14 games, including one on his debut.
The 24-year-old’s competition for the sole striker role in Ange Postecoglou’s side has been Giakoumakis, who joined the club in the summer of 2021.
After a slow start to life at Parkhead, the Greece international has bagged six goals in his last three league games as well as a brace in the Scottish Cup against Dundee United (14 March).
McAvennie claims Giakoumakis has finally adapted to Scottish football and predicts the same thing to happen to Maeda over the coming months.
“So Maeda’s not on international duty which is a boost for him,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I think everyone expected a little bit more from him, not to say he hasn’t been really good.
“But here’s what I’m thinking, looking at Giakoumakis. It took him ages to settle in.
“Now he’s scoring a couple of goals in every game. Could the same thing happen to Maeda?
“He started a bit better, I know he scored on his debut. He’s not hit Kyogo levels.
“At the start of next season, after a full pre-season with the club, could we see him fully up to speed and scoring loads of goals?
“I think there’s a good argument to say it does happen. So we could be starting next season with Kyogo, Giakouamkis and Maeda all fit and firing, wow, that would be magnificent.”
In other news, pundit claims Celtic handed “big” boost after two injury blows at Parkhead.