“He’s Celtic’s ‘Real Asset’…” – Neil Lennon HEAPS Praises on ONE Celtic Player Who Had an Outstanding Performance Against Dortmund Despite the Loss….

Neil Lennon Praises Daizen Maeda as Celtic’s Shining Light in Dortmund Defeat

Celtic’s 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League has left the Scottish champions reeling. The defeat has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning Brendan Rodgers’ tactics and the team’s overall performance. However, amidst the chaos, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has identified a glimmer of hope in the form of Daizen Maeda.

Lennon, who managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2019 to 2021, was in attendance at the Signal Iduna Park and witnessed the Japanese winger’s tireless display. Despite Celtic’s dismal performance, Maeda’s energy and determination caught Lennon’s eye.

“Alright, if you can’t play through the teams, then you get down the sides, and you get Maeda away, and to be fair to Maeda, he kept going all night,” Lennon told TNT Sports. “He was a threat all night down that left-hand side, and he is a real asset at this level.”

Maeda’s statistics from the match justify Lennon’s praise. The Japanese international scored Celtic’s only goal, had two shots on target, created two chances, and had five touches inside Dortmund’s box. Defensively, he won two out of seven duels, made one clearance, three defensive actions, and two interceptions.

However, Maeda’s performance was not without its flaws. He made a crucial mistake that led to one of Dortmund’s goals, highlighting the need for improvement.

Lennon’s assessment of Celtic’s overall performance was scathing. “They didn’t play anywhere near quick passes behind the Dortmund defence,” he said. “They just kept playing the same way, and kept getting punished for it.”

The former Celtic manager’s comments echo the sentiments of many fans, who were left frustrated by the team’s inability to adapt to Dortmund’s pressing.

After taking an early lead, Dortmund dominated possession, and Celtic struggled to create meaningful scoring opportunities. The Scottish champions’ defense was repeatedly breached, with Dortmund’s pace and precision proving too much to handle.

Lennon criticized Celtic’s failure to adjust their strategy, particularly after conceding the third goal. “After 3-1, that should have been a time to go, ‘Okay, we hold what we have until half-time, and then we’ll take it from there,’ but they never did,” he said.

Instead, Celtic continued to push forward, leaving themselves exposed to Dortmund’s counter-attacks. The German side capitalized on Celtic’s mistakes, scoring four more goals to seal a resounding victory.

The defeat has raised questions about Celtic’s readiness for the Champions League. While Rodgers’ side has excelled in domestic competitions, their European performances have been inconsistent.

Maeda’s display, however, offers a beacon of hope. His pace, agility, and determination make him a valuable asset for Celtic, particularly in the Champions League.

As Celtic prepares to face Ross County on Sunday, Rodgers will be looking to Maeda to replicate his performance. The Japanese winger’s energy and creativity could prove pivotal in helping Celtic bounce back from their Dortmund defeat.

With the Scottish Premiership title race intensifying, Celtic cannot afford to dwell on their European disappointment. Maeda’s display in Dortmund has shown that he can perform on the biggest stage, and Rodgers will be counting on him to deliver against Ross County.

In the midst of Celtic’s Champions League struggles, Maeda’s emergence as a key player is a welcome development. His performance against Dortmund has earned him praise from Lennon, and he will be eager to build on this display in the coming weeks.

As Celtic navigates the challenges of domestic and European football, Maeda’s contributions will be crucial. His pace, skill, and determination make him an invaluable asset for Rodgers’ side, and his performance against Dortmund has shown that he can compete with the best.

With the Scottish football world watching, Maeda will be looking to continue his impressive form. His display against Dortmund has set the bar high, and Celtic fans will be expecting more of the same against Ross County.

In the aftermath of Celtic’s defeat, Maeda’s performance has provided a much-needed boost. His energy and creativity have given Rodgers a timely reminder of his value to the team.

As Celtic seeks to rebound from their Dortmund defeat, Maeda’s influence will be vital. His ability to trouble opposing defenses and create scoring opportunities makes him an essential component of Rodgers’ attacking strategy.

With the Champions League providing a stern test of Celtic’s credentials, Maeda’s emergence as a key player is timely. His display against Dortmund has shown that he can compete with Europe’s elite, and Rodgers will be counting on him to deliver in the remaining group stage matches.

Celtic’s Champions League campaign may be faltering, but Maeda’s performance has offered a glimmer of hope. His pace, skill, and determination make him an invaluable asset for Rodgers’ side.