NEIL LENNON’S bluntly told off-the-boil Daizen Maeda he OWES Celtic and that he’s nowhere near the player he was last season.
Wantaway Maeda hit 33 goals last term and scooped up every major player of the year award.
But this season he’s lacked a spark and looked like he was going through the motions in a dreadful first half showing against Red Star Belgrade in the Serbian capital.
A far from impressed Brendan Rodgers hooked the 27-year-old at half-time – replacing him with Kelechi Iheanacho, who promptly put the Hoops ahead before they had to settle for a point in their opening Europa League league phase action.
Maeda recently revealed he’d lined up a move away from Parkhead during the last transfer window but the Celts board refused to sanction it because they didn’t have a replacement lined up.
The lightning quick Japanese attacker – approaching four years with the Hoops – has managed only two goals from 10 games this term.
Read more football stories
HOOPS PLEA
Rodgers asks fans to put protests on HOLD as he urges them to fill Parkhead
MEGA OFFER
Get £50 in free bets to spend on football when you stake £10 with Betfred
Dunfermline boss and twice-former Celts gaffer Lennon – talking on Premier Sports Ireland – didn’t mince his words over Maeda being a pale shadow of what he’s been.
On his largely anonymous display at the Marakana, Lennon said: “The question was rightly asked about his performance because he’s MILES away from where he was last season.
“He was player of the year in Scotland, scored 30-odd goals.
“He was absolutely dynamite.
“So if he’s playing up a little bit because he didn’t get his move, that would be poor from him.
“I’d be disappointed in him because I think he’s brought a lot to Celtic since he’s been here and he’s improved a lot.
“I think he owes Celtic a lot.
“So he didn’t get the move…knuckle down, get on with it until you do get the move and show everyone what a good player you are.
“I didn’t see any of that.
“His whole body, offside all the time, didn’t lead the line…that’s far removed from the performances we saw from him last year.”
Meanwhile, fast emerging new fans hero Iheanacho has made it clear he’s confident there’s much more to come from him after hitting his second goal in just three appearances since his post-window free transfer deal.
Ex-Sevilla, Middlesbrough, Leicester City and Man City striker Iheanacho produced a clinical second-half finish although he could, maybe should, have had a hat-trick – with Red Star No1 Matheus producing two blinding saves to deny him more goals.
The 28-year-old – who played for Rodgers at the Foxes – told TNT football: “It felt good. I’m happy to play for this great team, Celtic.
“I’m happy to play my first European game with them and it was a good outing. We played a strong side and we got a point from it.
“Obviously the manager made the call and I was ready to come on and give my best for the team.
“I’ve just come in and I know it’s massive pressure playing at Celtic.
“But I was ready for it, I am ready to go.
“Hopefully we get more results coming up.
“I’ve been in touch with the gaffer for a while.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
UPGRADE PLANS
Major change to popular Glasgow shopping centre as iconic feature demolished
‘DEVASTATED’
Popular Scots restaurant closed until next year following devastating blaze
“But it was a good conversation with my team to come to Celtic. So, as you can see, I’m enjoying it at Celtic.
“Hopefully, there’s more to come, more goals to come and performances to come.”
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
