Celtic are entering next weekend's Old Firm encounter with a lingering worry over their forward line after Daizen Maeda hobbled off the pitch at the end of their 2-1 triumph over a reduced Hibernian side. The Japanese striker, who opened the scoring at Easter Road, was seen limping without a boot after the final whistle, the result of a seemingly harmless challenge in stoppage time. That incident has amplified concerns about Celtic's attacking potency at a time when the title race is tightening. Maeda's recent form has been a bright spot in an otherwise uneven season.
After a barren spell in which he found the net only once in 2026 before last month, he has rediscovered his scoring touch, contributing directly to six goals in his last three outings – a tally that includes the opening goal against Hibs and a vital assist in the same match. His resurgence has been vital for Martin O'Neill's side, which has struggled to create clear‑cut chances despite dominating possession. With Rangers slated to visit Celtic in the next league fixture, O'Neill admitted he "desperately hoped" the Japan international would be fit for a match that could decide the top spot in the Scottish Premiership, provided Rangers can beat Hearts on Monday.
The stakes are high: a win for Celtic combined with a Rangers slip‑up would hand the Glasgow giants a significant advantage in the title chase. Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady echoed the sentiment, stressing how essential Maeda is when he is at his best. "He's been the most important player over the last three games," McGeady said. "Hopefully he is fine because it was an innocuous challenge.
It looked more like an impact challenge, but I'm hoping he's okay. Martin O'Neill will be sweating.
I hope he's fit for the final games because the impact he can make for this team when he is firing is invaluable." Even though Celtic managed to scrape a win, the performance highlighted the team's ongoing struggles in the final third. Despite playing against a Hibs side that spent more than 70 minutes with ten men, Celtic's chance creation was limited, underscoring a broader issue that has persisted throughout the campaign. The Hoops have scored 64 goals in 35 league matches this season, a stark contrast to the 103 they had amassed by the same point last term – a shortfall of 38 goals that is beginning to feel costly.
Goal‑difference figures now place Celtic behind both Hearts and Rangers, raising the spectre of a pivotal "what if" scenario should their lack of firepower continue to hinder them in the run‑in. Former Scotland forward James McFadden offered a blunt assessment after the match: "They're lacking in front of goal because of their quality in the final third. 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." McFadden pointed to a specific missed opportunity: "There was a chance where Nygren goes through. There's a runner inside between the full‑back and centre‑back, but by the time he makes the decision, the chance has gone. Last season, he'd just fire it because he knows that's where the striker needs to be." He continued, "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. Hibs being down to 10 men, they didn't move them nearly enough except for the quality of the first goal.
When that happens so quickly, it disrupts defenders and that's why you get space. I've never seen so many wide players pass the ball backwards. If your initial thought is to drive forward, the defender needs to back off.
If you go back, the defender can always be ready to go and press." The match also produced a surprising hero in Kelechi Iheanacho, who made a decisive impact off the bench. The former Leicester City striker has embraced his role, whether starting or coming on as a substitute, and O'Neill has lavished praise on his contributions. "He's been terrific," O'Neill said.
"Against Dundee he comes on and wins the game for us there. He made a big impact in the Scottish Cup semi‑final. To carry it on here, I’m delighted.
He’s a proper centre‑forward." McFadden added his own endorsement of Iheanacho's style: "It looks like he is a centre‑forward. He doesn't bring the intensity to the press to get you up the pitch.
To run in behind, to chase the ball. He knows his position. He knows where to be. He holds the ball up well.
I think he could be better, but you know 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 the dual challenge of keeping Maeda fit and finding additional sources of goals.
The team has shown flashes of brilliance, but the consistency of finishing chances remains elusive. If the Japanese forward recovers in time for the Old Firm showdown, his presence could provide the cutting edge that O'Neill's side desperately needs. If not, the burden will fall on other attackers like Iheanacho and the supporting midfield, who will have to step up to fill the void. The upcoming clash with Rangers will therefore be a litmus test for Celtic's title ambitions.
A win, coupled with a Rangers slip‑up, could catapult the Hoops back into the driver's seat. Conversely, a draw or loss, especially if Maeda is unavailable, could widen the gap and make the final weeks of the season a steep uphill battle.
Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely, hoping that the injury scare proves unfounded and that Celtic can rediscover the clinical edge that has defined their most successful campaigns.