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

Despite his presence in Birmingham, Maeda’s performance has been under scrutiny. He has not scored or assisted in his last 13 games for Celtic, a stark contrast to his earlier contributions this season, where he managed to score eight goals and provide eight assists in 47 appearances.

The last time Maeda found the back of the net was in January during a 4-0 victory over Dundee United. His recent lack of form has led to calls from fans for him to be dropped from the starting lineup, with some expressing hope to see “the real version of Maeda one last time” before the upcoming World Cup.

Maeda’s decline in performance is notable compared to the previous season, where he was a reliable option for Celtic, contributing significantly to their title run. In the last five games before the split last season, he scored five goals, while this season, he has failed to score in the final five pre-split games.

Additionally, his teammate Kyogo Furuhashi has also struggled for game time this season, adding to the challenges faced by Celtic’s attacking lineup. Martin O’Neill, the manager, continues to trust Maeda despite his struggles, indicating a belief in his potential to regain form.

As the season progresses, Maeda will be keen to keep showing face, especially with a World Cup on the horizon this summer. Meanwhile, Tomoki Iwata has made an impressive impact since leaving Celtic, with 90 appearances and 10 goals to his name.

With the pressure mounting, it remains to be seen how Maeda will respond to the challenges ahead. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the season unfolds.

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