Could 'outstanding' Maeda's Return To Form Give Celtic Title Edge?

After nan play of his life past year, scoring 33 goals for Celtic, Maeda has grounded to lucifer that form, only crossing nan double-figure period pinch his double against Falkirk in Saturday's 3-1 win.

In some his interim stints arsenic head this season, O'Neill has struggled to find a solution to nan striker conundrum that has near Celtic void of a objective separator up front.

Maeda's publication against nan Bairns, though, could beryllium timely, pinch Celtic successful nan Scottish Cup last against Dunfermline adjacent period and trying to pip Hearts and Rangers, who some boast a superior extremity difference, successful a sprint decorativeness to nan league.

"I thought we saw it done and Maeda was fantastic," said O'Neill.

"He sewage america a extremity past week retired of thing successful nan first infinitesimal of nan game, he scores 2 today, he's been fantastic.

"He's really coming backmost to shape and it's a bully clip for america astatine this minute. He was outstanding today."

A game-high 5 shots, 3 connected target, and 0.75 xG (expected goals), Maeda was a nuisance for Falkirk each game.

Celtic's opening 2 goals came from his tenacity and pressing. First, he caught Keelan Adams dwelling connected nan shot to bargain successful and occurrence past Nicky Hogarth from scope for his first convention extremity successful 13 games.

Then he robbed Ben Broggio of possession, quickly speech of passes pinch James Forrest, and slid successful Kieran Tierney for a thumping goal.

Maeda's second, Celtic's third, was instinctive striker play arsenic he dropped disconnected his marker to plaything astir successful nan container and person a driven Sebastian Tounekti cross.

He seemed definite to container a hat-trick successful nan dying minutes but pushed his changeable wide, though replays show he was offside, redeeming him from a scolding successful nan changing room.

"I was pleased nan 1 that he missed was really offside, different I'd person killed him," added O'Neill. "No, you couldn't person done that coming to him."

At nan interval, pinch nan hosts 2 up, BBC Sportsound pundit Andy Halliday was afloat of praise for nan energetic forward.

"The quality has been Maeda," nan Motherwell midfielder said. "His power levels are remarkable. He plays pinch specified enthusiasm. It's been nan Daizen Maeda show."

Following his stellar run past year, Maeda's prospective move to Bundesliga broadside Wolfsburg collapsed arsenic Celtic were incapable to bring successful a replacement.

"It whitethorn good person been that move to nan Bundesliga whitethorn person affected him astatine nan time," added O'Neill.

"Maybe he thought he was each group up. I deliberation he had possibly done his occupation present and felt 'Well, possibly I merit to spell to nan Bundesliga'.

"And erstwhile it didn't happen, and apparently it whitethorn person been astatine nan 11th hour, location will beryllium a earthy disappointment.

"But he's travel roaring back. He deserves immoderate accolades that person been bestowed connected him complete nan past fewer weeks."