Celtic’s offensive anxieties have deepened as the club looks ahead to next weekend’s Old Firm encounter, after Daizen Maeda hobbled off the pitch following the 2-1 triumph over a ten‑man Hibernian side. Maeda, who had continued his impressive recent run by netting the opening goal at Easter Road, was seen limping without a boot after the final whistle, the result of a seemingly harmless challenge in stoppage time. Prior to last month, Maeda had managed just a single goal in the 2026 calendar year, but he has rediscovered his scoring touch at a pivotal moment, contributing to six goals – either by scoring or assisting – in his last three outings. With Rangers set to visit Celtic next, manager Martin O'Neill expressed that he "desperately hoped" the Japanese forward would be fit for a match that could determine who leads the Scottish Premiership, especially if Rangers defeat Hearts on Monday in a Sky Sports‑broadcast game.

The potential loss of Maeda would be a serious setback for the Hoops. In recent weeks O'Neill has preferred to deploy him as a central striker, and former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady highlighted how vital Maeda’s influence is when he is firing on all cylinders. "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." McGeady added, "I’m hoping that he’s fine.

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 hold on for the win, the scarcity of clear‑cut chances they created against a side that played most of the match with ten men highlighted the attacking deficiencies that have plagued them this season. The Hoops have scored 64 goals in 35 league fixtures so far, a stark contrast to the 103 they had amassed by the same point last season – a drop of 38 goals. Their goal difference now trails both Hearts and Rangers, turning every missed opportunity into a potential "what‑if" that could prove decisive in the title race.

James McFadden, speaking after the game, lamented the lack of quality in the final third: "They’re lacking in front of goal because of their quality in the final third. If you look at the goals that have come out of the team in the last year, that is evident. 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 continued, "There was a chance where Nygren went through.

There was a runner inside between the full‑back and centre‑back, but by the time he made the decision, the chance was gone. Last season he would just fire it because he knows that’s where the striker needs to be." McFadden also noted the team’s reduced urgency in the attacking third, saying, "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 in front of teams. Hibs being down to ten men, they didn’t move them nearly enough except for the quality of the first goal. When that happens quickly, it disrupts defenders and that’s why you get space." He observed a worrying tendency for wide players to pass the ball backwards, adding, "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 press." Amidst the attacking concerns, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who emerged as Celtic’s hero at Easter Road, making a decisive impact off the bench.

The former Leicester City striker insists he is ready to contribute whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, and O’Neill has lavished praise on his performances. "He’s been terrific," O’Neill said. "Against Dundee he came on and won the game for us. 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 echoed the sentiment, noting Iheanacho’s instinctive positioning: "It looks like he is a centre‑forward.

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.

I think he could be better, but 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’s title aspirations hinge on resolving their attacking inefficiencies and ensuring key players like Maeda remain available. The upcoming Old Firm fixture against Rangers will be a litmus test for the team’s ability to create genuine scoring opportunities and break the pattern of missed chances that have characterised much of their campaign.

If Celtic can restore the urgency and penetration that once made them a prolific force, they will keep the pressure on Hearts and Rangers and remain in contention for the Scottish Premiership crown.