Daizen Maeda Spotted in Birmingham After Celtic Victory

Daizen Maeda was spotted in Birmingham on April 12, 2026, after contributing to Celtic’s 1-0 victory over St Mirren. The match saw Maeda’s teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain score the decisive goal, but Maeda’s personal performance has drawn scrutiny as he has not scored or assisted in his last 13 games.

During his visit, Maeda attended a Championship fixture where Birmingham City defeated Wrexham 2-0. He shared footage of his former teammate Tomoki Iwata, highlighting the ongoing connection between the two players from their time at Celtic.

This season, Maeda has managed to score eight goals and provide eight assists across 47 appearances, a decline compared to his previous season’s performance. Notably, his last goal came in January during a 4-0 victory over Dundee United, marking a stark contrast to his earlier form.

In the last five games before the split last season, Maeda scored five goals, but he has yet to find the net in the final five pre-split games this season. His teammate Kyogo Furuhashi has also faced challenges, struggling for game time this season.

As the World Cup approaches this summer, Maeda’s current form raises questions about his readiness for international competition. Despite his recent struggles, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill continues to express trust in Maeda’s abilities.

Fans have voiced their concerns, with some suggesting that “Maeda needs to be dropped” to regain his form, while others hope to see “the real version of Maeda one last time.” The sentiment reflects a desire for the player to return to his previous reliability for the team.

Tomoki Iwata, who left Celtic, has made 90 appearances and scored 10 goals since his departure, showcasing a successful transition that contrasts with Maeda’s current difficulties.

As the season progresses, Maeda will be keen to keep showing face and prove his worth, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. The connection still exists between him and Iwata, which may provide some motivation for Maeda to improve his performance.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential changes in Maeda’s role within the team, but the upcoming matches will be crucial for his career trajectory.