After watching on as they did not safe victory on the European stage as soon as once more, former participant Chris Sutton revealed why he feels sorry for one Celtic participant.
Rodgers: Celtic have to have some “realism”
For a short second, Celtic have been on their method in Belgrade after Kelechi Iheanacho discovered the again of the online as soon as once more simply earlier than the hour mark. However any momentum proved to be short-lived, with Marko Arnautovic discovering a swift equaliser simply 10 minutes later to go away each side holding onto a degree apiece to open their Europa League campaigns.
While a draw could have annoyed many, Brendan Rodgers known as for “realism” in his post-match response. The Celtic boss instructed reporters: “I feel there must be a little bit of realism.
“We’re the place we’re. Tonight is an effective level. You’re not going to win all eight video games, so a little bit of realism. It is a good level for this squad coming right here. We’ve now obtained two actually [important] residence video games to push ahead.”
Rodgers did a minimum of avoid wasting reward for 19-year-old fullback Colby Donovan following one other glorious show, saying: “I believed he was completely excellent. I mentioned to the gamers after, I believed he was unbelievable for a younger participant making his fourth or fifth begin for us. To play to that stage in such a troublesome stadium [and he’s] simply turned 19, he’s obtained persona.”
The identical cannot be mentioned for others in Celtic squad, nevertheless, and questions will likely be requested of a lot of senior stars, which is more likely to embody one participant that Sutton feels sorry for in the mean time.
Sutton: Maeda being “shoehorned” by Rodgers
Taking to X when the Japanese ahead was taken off, Sutton revealed that he believes Maeda is being “shoehorned” by Rodgers regardless of being such a “revelation” for the Bhoys final season.
The previous Celtic Park star mentioned: “Maeda off… if he’s not injured I really feel for him. A man who was a revelation taking part in huge shoehorned into taking part in a place he’s not snug in… absolutely taking part in him off the precise could be higher. 33 targets final season… a little bit of a pickle Celtic are in…”
|
Maeda 25/26 |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Video games |
10 |
|
Objectives |
2 |
|
Assists |
2 |
It is onerous to disagree with Sutton’s verdict. From scoring 33 targets final season, Maeda has netted simply two in 10 video games within the present marketing campaign in a file that can catch as much as him as Iheanacho continues his brilliant begin.
Having already misplaced a lot firepower in the summertime when Nicolas Kuhn accomplished a transfer to Como 1907, the very last thing that Celtic want is for Maeda to drop off form totally.
They’ve struggled for targets with out the ahead at his greatest on the European stage and will likely be properly conscious of the injury that would nonetheless be completed within the Scottish Premiership.