Celtic’s new Ajeti should not be close to the starting XI

Daizen Maeda’s problems at Parkhead continued after he failed to score or assist in Celtic’s 1-0 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal was enough to secure three points for Martin O’Neill’s side in Glasgow, but their Japanese striker again struggled at the other end of the pitch.

The Japanese international has not scored for Celtic since their 4-0 win over Dundee United at Parkhead on January 10, and has not provided an assist since their 2-2 draw with Bologna in the Europa League on January 22.

He has found space in the final third in each of his last 15 games in all competitions, failing to register a goal or assist, and didn’t even register a goal against St Mirren.

Maeda played the full 90 minutes against the Saints over the weekend and finished the game with one key pass, one try and zero blocked shots, and zero tackles.

What Celtic should do with Daizen Maeda this summer

The 28-year-old’s current contract at Parkhead expires at the end of next season, and he hasn’t done enough on the pitch to suggest the club should reward him with an extension.

In the 2025/26 Premiership season, Maeda has scored seven goals from 12.48 xG for the Hoops, throwing away 22 ‘big chances’, and that is the biggest xG underperformance in the division.

With his lackluster finish to the campaign and his third poor performance since January in mind, Celtic must make a decision to cash in on the Japanese striker when the summer transfer window opens.

His performances haven’t been up to par in the Premiership this season, especially since he finished, and his contract situation means this summer would be a good time to move on.

Although Maeda should be sold in the summer, there is another current Celtic player who has been worse than him and should never be near the starting line-up again.

Worse than Maeda: Celtic’s worst player should never start again

Even if his output in the final third wasn’t good enough, Maeda still provides value with his work rate and pressure against defenses, meaning he could still be a key starter in the short term before leaving in the summer.

Tomas Cvancara, however, did not perform well enough in the final third or in his usual performance for the Hoops, which is why he should not be in the starting line-up again this season.

The Czechia international is fast becoming the new Albian Ajeti at Parkhead. Celtic signed the Swiss striker for £5m in 2020 and he scored a record nine goals in 48 games before leaving.

Like Ajeti, Cvancara failed in front of goal for the Scottish giants. The Borussia Monchengladbach loanee has scored just two goals in 13 games for the club, with one of those goals coming from the penalty area.

Since scoring his only open-play goal against Falkirk in February, the 25-year-old striker has failed to score from open play in any of his last 11 games in all competitions.

Despite his Ajeti-esque struggles in front of goal, Cvancara was selected by O’Neill to lead the line against St Mirren on Saturday, and he was worse than Maeda.

The Czech international only completed five of the ten passes he attempted and did not create a single chance for his team-mates, when he missed a ‘big chance’ to score.

Maeda, despite his difficulties, was reliable as a passer and created a ‘big chance’ for the team, which shows that he was completely ineffective.

Cvancara was the most underrated player for the Hoops on the day and his general form since signing for the club in January does not suggest that his performances are likely to improve anytime soon.

That is why O’Neill must not have him back in the starting line-up this season, before bringing new Ajeti back to Gladbach in the summer.

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