Amid the forecasts of doom and gloom over Celtic’s dodgy defence in the 6-4 defeat from Yokohama F Marinos a few important factors have been overlooked.
It was difficult to take your thoughts away from a defence that was easily opened up but there was plenty of positives to take from the match, most noticeably the performance of Daizen Maeda.
When Hajime Moriyasu selected Maeda as a World Cup striker it would be polite to say the decision puzzled Celtic fans, especially with Kyogo Furuhashi left to watch the Qatar action from afar.
In the first few months of his Celtic career Maeda had played through the centre without posing the threat of Kyogo or Giorgos Giakoumakis and certainly not delivering the goals.
Oh Hyeon-gyu showed more promise last season but the need for a third striker has been discussed by fans although getting someone of sufficient quality prepared to be third choice for one position won’t be a simple task.
Yesterday, back in Yokohama, Celtic’s highly industrious winger offered a solution.
He scored three, it could have been five but the quality of his finishing was top drawer, clinical execution with all three.
With Liel Abada popping up with two assists and Reo Hatate outstanding in the centre of the park there appears to be no problems with creativity after one match of pre-season.
Brendan Rodgers won’t neglect his side’s attacking needs but for now that area looks to be perfectly functioning allowing the manager to spend his time recruiting and coaching at the back.
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