Celtic entered the Easter Road encounter with a lingering sense of anxiety about their offensive output, a concern that grew even more acute after forward Daizen Maeda hobbled off the pitch at the final whistle of their 2-1 triumph over a ten‑man Hibernian side. Maeda, who had opened the scoring and continued his recent rich vein of form, was seen limping without a boot in the moments after full‑time, the result of a seemingly innocuous challenge during stoppage time. The Japanese international had struggled to find the net this season, registering only a single goal before last month. However, he has rediscovered his sharpness at a crucial juncture, contributing to six goal involvements across his last three outings – a resurgence that has injected optimism into Martin O'Neill’s attack‑first philosophy.
With the Old Firm clash against Rangers looming, O'Neill admitted he "desperately hoped" Maeda would be fit for a fixture that could effectively decide the top spot in the Scottish Premiership, especially if Rangers manage to beat Hearts on Monday. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, adding further pressure on the Celtic camp. The potential loss of Maeda would be a serious blow for the Hoops.
In recent weeks O'Neill has preferred to deploy him as a central striker, and former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady underscored the Japanese forward’s importance, describing him as "the most important player over the last three games." McGeady expressed relief that the challenge appeared harmless, noting, "It looked more like an impact challenge than anything dangerous." He added that O'Neill would be "sweating" over Maeda’s fitness, emphasizing the striker’s ability to change games when he is at his best. Even though Celtic secured the win, the match highlighted the team's ongoing difficulty in creating clear‑cut chances, even against a side reduced to ten men for more than 70 minutes. This lack of cutting edge has become a recurring theme this season.
Celtic have netted 64 goals in 35 league fixtures, a stark contrast to the 103 they had amassed by the same point in the previous campaign – a shortfall of 38 goals that underscores a significant drop in attacking efficiency. Their goal difference now trails both Hearts and Rangers, raising the spectre of a pivotal "what‑if" scenario that could decide the title race.
James McFadden, speaking after the match, lamented the team's inability to finish cleanly in the final third. "They're lacking in front of goal because of their quality in the final third," he said, noting that the pattern of play has remained largely unchanged from earlier in the season.
"You can't say they didn't play well in the first half, but it's a lot of the same patterns. There's no penetration." He cited a specific chance where Nygren broke through, only for a supporting runner to arrive too late, illustrating a lack of instinctive movement that characterized last season’s more decisive finishes.
"Last season, he just fires it because he knows that's where the striker needs to be," McFadden added. The former striker also criticized the team's overall tempo and urgency in attack, observing that Celtic no longer display the swift, penetrating runs that once defined their play. "They don't have that urgency in the final third that they used to have.
They don't have the penetration of the runs or the passing. It's all a bit slow and in front of teams," he explained. Even with Hibs reduced to ten men, Celtic failed to fully exploit the numerical advantage, relying largely on the quality of the opening goal rather than sustained pressure.
"When that happens so quickly, it disrupts defenders and that's why you get space," McFadden said, pointing out that the team often resorted to backward passes from wide areas, a tactic that allows defenders to reset and nullify forward momentum. Amidst the broader attacking concerns, Kelechi Iheanacho emerged as the unexpected hero at Easter Road. The former Leicester City striker made a decisive impact off the bench, reinforcing his reputation as a player who can change the game regardless of whether he starts or comes on as a substitute. O'Neill praised Iheanacho, calling him "a proper centre‑forward" and highlighting his previous match‑winning performances against Dundee and in the Scottish Cup semi‑final.
Iheanacho’s ability to hold up the ball, make intelligent runs, and finish chances has provided Celtic with a valuable alternative when Maeda’s availability is in doubt. James McFadden also lauded Iheanacho’s qualities, noting his work rate and positional sense. "He doesn’t bring the intensity to the press to get you up the pitch, but he knows his position.
He knows where to be. He holds the ball up well," McFadden said.
"When he comes in he’s going to cause problems. Above all else, you know if there’s a chance he’s probably going to take it.
He knows where to be at the right moment. That is a great knack." Looking ahead, Celtic must address their creative deficiencies if they hope to keep pace with Rangers and Hearts in the title chase. The team’s reduced goal output suggests a need for tactical adjustments, perhaps by encouraging quicker ball circulation, increasing the number of players making forward runs, and sharpening the finishing instincts of their forwards. The fitness of Daizen Maeda will be a key factor; his presence could restore the cutting edge that has been missing, while Iheanacho’s form provides a reassuring backup.
In addition to the on‑field issues, Celtic’s managerial staff will need to manage player workloads carefully, especially with the Old Firm fixture looming and the league schedule remaining congested. The psychological aspect of the title race cannot be ignored – confidence in the attacking unit will be essential to convert chances into points. As the season reaches its climax, every goal, every injury, and every tactical tweak will be magnified.
Celtic’s fans will be watching closely to see whether Maeda can recover in time, whether Iheanacho can continue to deliver, and whether the team can rediscover the prolific scoring form that once saw them dominate Scottish football. The upcoming weeks will likely determine whether Celtic can overcome their current attacking shortcomings and remain genuine contenders for the Premiership crown.