Frank McAvennie explains why Celtic’s defence is a key reason why Daizen Maeda starts over Iheanacho
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Pardon the pun, but the debate over who should lead the line for Celtic is rapidly being shut down, with Daizen Maeda aggressively answering those problems on the pitch.
While the striker position has been a massive headache for whoever has been in the Celtic Park dugout this season, Frank McAvennie thinks Martin O’Neill’s call to start Maeda over Kelechi Iheanacho is now down to Celtic’s defensive structure.
Given that Celtic have produced such a woeful season, more and more teams are taking the game to the champions of Scotland, and according to McAvennie, Celtic are no longer suffocating teams from the halfway line because the opposition ‘aren’t scared’, as he told his Let Me Be Frank podcast.
“Because he (Iheanacho) doesn’t have the pace to cause problems,” said McAvennie. “See, Celtic are defending deeper now.
“Defenders used to come to Celtic, and they couldn’t defend because they would defend from the halfway line. They used to defend the 18-yard box.
“Now they are coming, they are defending here, they aren’t defending up there anymore. People aren’t scared of them. They are going for them. That’s what the problem is.”
Was that Daizen Maeda’s best performance of the season?
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Why is Daizen Maeda starting over Kelechi Iheanacho as Celtic centre forward
It has been clear as day all season long that opponents have become braver, forcing Celtic into a much deeper block.
Because of this forced tactical shift, the Hoops desperately require raw pace and non-stop energy to relieve pressure and hit teams every which way they can – a dynamic trait Iheanacho simply cannot offer, and Maeda can provide in his sleep.
With Celtic now seemingly finding their answer to their striker problems, albeit it can change in a flash, Maeda’s relentless, chaotic energy has become the team’s match-winning weapon.
The Japanese international is firmly cementing his starting role by terrifying opposition backlines with his unpredictable pressing.
Stretching defensive lines with raw pace has never been Iheanacho’s natural game.
Even though the Nigerian star offers much better hold-up play and a sharper finish than last season’s PFA Player of the Season, the fact that he still struggles to complete a full 90 minutes is another clear reason why O’Neill has got his striker selection spot on in recent weeks.
Simon Houston: “On the Celtic striker situations, you are talking about players being fully fit, carrying a niggle or in the red zone.
“Iheanacho again, he had a fantastic extra time against St Mirren, scored two cracking goals, and then he doesn’t start against Falkirk.”
McAvennie: “Because he doesn’t have the pace to cause problems. See, Celtic are defending deeper now.
“Defenders used to come to Celtic, and they couldn’t defend because they would defend from the halfway line. They used to defend the 18-yard box.
“Now they are coming, they are defending here, they aren’t defending up there anymore. People aren’t scared of them. They are going for them. That’s what the problem is.”
Houston: “So, he is going to be an impact player for the rest of the season?”
McAvennie: “I think so, because Maeda, we are getting so much pressure around us, and the ball is over the top. Maeda causes so many problems.
“The last couple of games, he has been outstanding. He will cause problems for the Hibs defenders.
“How do they know where he is? If I am a centre half. I have played in midfield. I know where you are running. I know what to do with the ball before I get it. I wouldn’t know where Maeda is before I start taking touches. If you take a touch, he is on top of you.”
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