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

Celtic have gained 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‘ group have been crushed 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 up to now.

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

The most recent Celtic harm information

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

In the course of the first half, that includes for the primary time since choosing up an harm 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 harm that might see the American worldwide sidelined till March; an infinite blow.

On prime of this, Daizen Maeda can be already sidelined, unlikely to characteristic 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 guide 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 purpose 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 unique shade of inexperienced and white hoops.

His type at Shamrock Rovers definitely caught the eye of these throughout the Irish Sea, with the desk under 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, nevertheless 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, heading in the right direction towards Larne, APOEL Nicosia and Fast Wien, earlier than bagging a brace when Borac Banja Luka have 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 grow to be a “totally different animal” lately, including that “bodily he is obtained 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 brisk nuisance to defenders, continuously closing them down and operating all day, traits he definitely shares with Maeda.

Since returning to Celtic in January, he has seen restricted sport time, simply 438 minutes to be exact, heading house his first purpose for the membership at Pittodrie again in Could, earlier than additionally netting through the drubbing of Livingston in August.

So now, set to get pleasure from a run within the group, 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 probabilities, however has now grow to be a well-rounded attacker who’s a pivotal determine on this facet.

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