Martin O’Neill has to start Daizen Maeda vs Dundee after latest Celtic news
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(Credit: Imago) Sat 4 April 2026 19:00, UK Martin O’Neill should continue to stick by Daizen Maeda for Celtic’s trip to Dundee on Sunday despite his mortifying form.The Japan international has been woeful in recent weeks and has not picked up a goal contribution in the Scottish Premiership since early January.Yet, despite calls for the attacker to be dropped, O’Neill has still started him consistently as part of his front line.Now, this faithful in the 28-year-old has to continue for their trip to Dundee, with the forward having a sensational recent record against the club.Below, Football Insider has examined why Maeda’s inclusion at Dens Park is crucial for a Celtic victory. ⚽ Celtic Matchday ⚽ >Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Hoops fixture. VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Daizen Maeda has a great record against Dundee While Maeda has been dreadful in recent weeks, everything points towards him returning to goalscoring form against Dundee.In his last four matches against the Dark Blues, he has scored four times, with one of these strikes proving to be a winner.Daizen Maeda’s record vs Dundee Matches 7Goals 4Assists 0Maeda has a great record against DundeeThis run also included a brace against Dundee towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign as Celtic ran out 6-0 winners.As a result, based on how he usually performs against the club, there is every chance he could finally return to form on Sunday.Celtic need Maeda back scoring as soon as possible, especially with the split approaching, and this fixture looks to be the perfect moment to make this a reality.Could Celtic sell Maeda in the summer transfer window?Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Celtic are prepared to cash in on Maeda in the summer transfer window.The striker is set to enter the final year of his contract, and the Hoops are now prepared to accept offers, with the hierarchy believing there is little chance that he will renew his deal.The Japan international is understood to be keen to move away from Celtic Park and explore a new challenge.This is something that the club are willing to sanction, with a significant squad turnover looking increasingly likely this summer.Therefore, time is now running out for Maeda to potentially leave the Hoops on a high note, as the club battles to try and lift the Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish Cup before the campaign ends.