After watching on as they failed to secure victory on the European stage once again, former player Chris Sutton revealed why he feels sorry for one Celtic player.
Rodgers: Celtic need to have some "realism"
For a brief moment, Celtic were on their way in Belgrade after Kelechi Iheanacho found the back of the net once again just before the hour mark. But any momentum proved to be short-lived, with Marko Arnautovic finding a swift equaliser just 10 minutes later to leave both sides holding onto a point apiece to open their Europa League campaigns.
Whilst a draw will have frustrated many, Brendan Rodgers called for “realism” in his post-match reaction. The Celtic boss told reporters: “I think there needs to be a bit of realism.
“We are where we are. Tonight is a good point. You’re not going to win all eight games, so a bit of realism. This is a good point for this squad coming here. We’ve now got two really [important] home games to push forward.”
Rodgers did at least save some praise for 19-year-old fullback Colby Donovan following another excellent display, saying: “I thought he was absolutely outstanding. I said to the players after, I thought he was incredible for a young player making his fourth or fifth start for us. To play to that level in such a tough stadium [and he’s] just turned 19, he’s got personality.”
The same can’t be said for others in Celtic squad, however, and questions will be asked of a number of senior stars, which is likely to include one player that Sutton feels sorry for at the moment.
Sutton: Maeda being "shoehorned" by Rodgers
Taking to X when the Japanese forward was taken off, Sutton revealed that he believes Maeda is being “shoehorned” by Rodgers despite being such a “revelation” for the Bhoys last season.
The former Celtic Park star said: “Maeda off… if he’s not injured I feel for him. A guy who was a revelation playing wide shoehorned into playing a position he’s not comfortable in… surely playing him off the right would be better. 33 goals last season… a bit of a pickle Celtic are in…”
Games
10
Goals
2
Assists
2
It’s hard to disagree with Sutton’s verdict. From scoring 33 goals last season, Maeda has netted just two in 10 games in the current campaign in a record that will catch up to him as Iheanacho continues his bright start.
Having already lost so much firepower in the summer when Nicolas Kuhn completed a move to Como 1907, the last thing that Celtic need is for Maeda to drop out of form entirely.
They’ve struggled for goals without the forward at his best on the European stage and will be well aware of the damage that could still be done in the Scottish Premiership.
