Rodgers may unearth his new Daizen Maeda in Celtic’s rarely-seen “animal”

Celtic have received the Scottish Premiership title in 13 of the final 14 seasons, however may simply be going through real competitors for this season’s trophy.

Final Sunday, Brendan Rodgers‘ workforce had been overwhelmed domestically for the primary time this season, defeated 2-0 by Dundee at Dens Park.

This, although, had been on the playing cards for some time.

Throughout the earlier 4 Premiership outings, the Hoops had required stoppage time targets to beat each Kilmarnock and Motherwell, in addition to being held to goalless attracts by Rangers and Hibs, thereby failing to attain on six events throughout all competitions to this point.

So now, on Sunday lunchtime, they are going to journey to league leaders Hearts, the Jambos presently 5 factors clear on the high, so which “animal” ought to Rodgers choose in assault for this eagerly-anticipated conflict at Tynecastle?

The most recent Celtic damage information

Celtic did declare their first European victory of the season on Thursday, combating again from a aim all the way down to beat Sturm Graz 2-1 within the Europa League, however this win might have come at a value, or three to be precise.

Through the first half, that includes for the primary time since selecting up an damage towards Kairat on 20 August, Alistair Johnston suffered a recurrence of this hamstring tear, which is a significant blow for each the participant and Rodgers.

Even earlier than that, as early because the fourth minute, Kelechi Ịheanachọ had hobbled off too, which isn’t very best contemplating he is the one senior centre-forward on the membership.

Then, proper on the finish, star centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers was stretchered off having picked up a severe Achilles tendon damage that would see the American worldwide sidelined till March; an infinite blow.

On high of this, Daizen Maeda can also be already sidelined, unlikely to function at Tynecastle on Sunday, whereas additionally a doubt for the next Sunday’s conflict with Rangers within the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden.

The Japanese striker scored 33 targets final season, per Transfermarkt, 4 of which got here within the Champions League, with former Celtic striker Chris Sutton thereby asserting that he ranks among the many membership’s best-ever cut price buys, alongside Henrik Larsson and Ľubomír Moravčík.

Now, although, with neither Maeda nor Ịheanachọ, Rodgers has to belief the Celts’ rarely-seen “animal” to steer the assault.

Celtic’s new Daizen Maeda

When Ịheanachọ hobbled off very early towards Sturm Graz, it was Johnny Kenny who was launched, so it stands to cause that he would be the quantity 9 for the foreseeable.

The younger Irishman joined Celtic again in January 2022 from Sligo Rovers, earlier than being instantly loaned out to Queen’s Park, subsequently making a reputation for himself in a special shade of inexperienced and white hoops.

His type at Shamrock Rovers actually caught the eye of these throughout the Irish Sea, with the desk beneath documenting his eye-catching type in Dublin.

Because the desk above notes, Kenny scored 13 targets within the League of Eire final yr; solely two gamers bagged extra, however it was his European type that caught the attention.

The teen scored 5 targets in six Convention League appearances, serving to Rovers attain the knockout section, on the right track towards Larne, APOEL Nicosia and Speedy Wien, earlier than bagging a brace when Borac Banja Luka had been battered 3-0 at Tallaght.

Talking on Premier Sports activities, following Shamrock Rovers’ credible 1-1 attract Vienna final November, former teammate Ronan Finn asserted that Kenny has develop into a “completely different animal” in recent times, including that “bodily he is received stronger” and that his ceiling is sky-high.

Stylistically, Kenny proved to be not solely a scientific finisher within the field, but in addition an lively nuisance to defenders, continually closing them down and operating all day, traits he actually shares with Maeda.

Since returning to Celtic in January, he has seen restricted recreation time, simply 438 minutes to be exact, heading residence his first aim for the membership at Pittodrie again in Might, earlier than additionally netting throughout the drubbing of Livingston in August.

So now, set to take pleasure in a run within the workforce, can he replicate the success loved by Maeda?

When the Japanese ahead first arrived in January 2022 from Yokohama F. Marinos, he was very uncooked, typically erratically lacking possibilities, however has now develop into a well-rounded attacker who’s a pivotal determine on this facet.

Nicely, as already alluded to, Kenny possesses comparable traits, merely needing a possibility to showcase what he’s able to, so may he come to the fore and be the hero at Tynecastle on Sunday as Celtic’s new Maeda?