The depth risk being taken by Celtic right now
Celtic fans are desperate for confirmation on signings as the window drags on into its last few weeks at Parkhead.
Last Sunday, the Bhoys showed plenty of firepower at home to Kilmarnock, dispatching the Ayrshire outfit 4-0 in front of a capacity home crowd.
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Next up is a trip to Easter Road, which hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Brendan Rodgers. The Irishman claimed his only victory in Leith earlier this year as the Bhoys snatched three points courtesy of Adam Idah’s two strikes from the spot.
Frustratingly, the Republic of Ireland international is still a Norwich City player. Idah is at the centre of a waiting game involving Celtic and Norwich, which has prompted John Hartson to criticise the Canaries’ reluctance to let him move to Parkhead.
With Kyogo Furuhashi left to lead the line, there is added importance placed on Daizen Maeda’s potential return to the squad this weekend.
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Speaking last week, Rodgers confirmed Maeda would return to contention sooner than first feared after suffering an injury against Chelsea in pre-season.
He explained when asked about his timescale: “Hopefully not too long. We saw the clash of knees that he had in the Chelsea game, we thought initially it was going to be worse. But hopefully he will be on the pitch next week and we’ll assess it from there. It’s just going to be week to week, really.”
Celtic’s forward #38 Daizen Maeda (L) is defended by Chelsea’s defender #24 Reece James during a pre-season club friendly football match between Ch…
Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images
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Admittedly, there doesn’t seem to be a definitive timeline, but with only one striker in the building, Maeda is arguably the best second option available at the club right now.
Having featured through the middle at spells during his Celtic career, the Japan international has registered 29 times in 107 appearances. This is far from prolific, though considering he has predominantly figured from the left-hand side, his ability to sniff out chances can’t be denied.
Taking this weekend against Hibernian in isolation, there is a need for as many options as possible if Rodgers needs some fresh energy from the bench to get his side over the line.
Maeda would offer the potential to be a difference-maker. Despite this, it is majorly frustrating that Celtic find themselves in this position. The same can be said at left-back.
Hopefully, an exciting end to the window is in store. For now, the manager will have to contend with the players available at his disposal.
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