Celtic could replace Maeda with the 18-year-old sensation

Celtic They went back to work Scottish Premier League On the other side of the international break this weekend when they face Dundee away from home.

The Hoops will be aiming to get back to the top of the table if Hearts stumble in their game, as they currently sit two points off the top of the division as it stands.

Despite beating Motherwell 3-2 in the last match at Parkhead before the international break, Brendan Rodgers He must find ways to make his Celtic side more effective in the final third.

The Scottish giants have failed to find the back of the net in five separate matches in all competitions so far this season, showing that they have been straightforward in front of goal more often than not.

Therefore, it was a matter of concern that Daisen Maeda had to do this Withdrawal from international duty With Japan due to a foot injury, raising doubts about his availability to face Dundee this weekend.

The 27-year-old scored the winner against Motherwell last time out in the Premier League, and Rodgers may have to find an alternative option on the right wing.

Ranking right wing options for Celtic’s first team

Maeda is currently the Hoops’ first choice on the right side. The arrival of Sebastian Toncti has forced the Japanese star to move to the right wing, and he has registered two goals and two assists in the Premier League.

The Celtic star, who scored 33 goals in all competitions last season (Transfermarkt), has shown that he can influence games by scoring goals and assists on a regular basis, which is why he is currently the best option on the right side.

If Maeda is not available for selection this weekend against Dundee, Hyun-Jun Young and James Forrest would be potential replacements as natural right wingers.

However, as you can see in the table above, both Young and Forest have failed to provide consistent quality in the bottom third of the Premier League since the start of last season, which is why they rank third and fourth out of the first-team’s four right wing options.

Michel-Ange Palekwesha, usually a left winger, started on the right wing in the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock last month, was substituted without any shots on target and no ‘big chances’ created, yet should still be considered the second best right winger.

The Belgian striker, who provided a brilliant assist for Maida from the left wing against Motherwell, looked uncomfortable and passive on the right flank, which is not his usual role.

As the only winger other than Maeda to have contributed goals in the Premier League this season, Palekoisha may be the best first-team option available on the right wing, though, should the Japan international be injured, with Young and Forest not showing enough quality.

With the former Royal Antwerp man looking to be the best-suited right winger available to Dundee, Rodgers must look to the academy to unleash a young star on the wing.

Palikwesha, Forrest and Young do not look like future stars for Celtic on the right wing, but B-team star Rhys Dargie could have the potential to be a key player in the Hoops moving forward.

Why Celtic should unleash Reece Dargie against Dundee

The severity of Maeda’s injury remains to be seen, but it was bad enough to not play a single minute for Japan during the international break.

Even if it’s not a serious injury that will completely rule him out of action, Celtic have a Europa League clash with Sturm Graz next week, and they may want to bail on the striker if he’s not 100% fit.

Therefore, Rodgers should unleash second-team star Dargie on the right wing against Dundee this weekend in a bold move, given how frustrating his other options in that position have been this season.

As you can see in the table above, the 18-year-old striker has the most goals and the most assists of any Celtic right wing option at B or first team level in the 2025/26 season so far.

What makes his return of four goals and three assists even more impressive is that they all made six appearances as a right winger, while the other four were in central midfield or on the left flank.

Darji who was He described her as “some talent” By Reporter Stu McLellan He has also scored an eye-catching nine goals in 11 Lowland League appearances in the 2024/25 season, according to Transfermarkt.

The Scot has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in 21 appearances for Celtic B so far, according to Transfermarkt, showing he is a winger who can provide a consistent threat in the final third, especially as a goalscorer.

While it remains to be seen whether or not Dargie can translate these performances into the first team, the alternatives available to the manager have shown that they cannot be relied upon to provide quality when needed.

That’s why Rodgers must take a risk, although it’s not a huge risk considering the alternatives, and bring the young talent into the Premier League clash with Dundee at the weekend to see if he has what it takes to impact games at top level.

Maeda’s injury is a huge blow, especially if he is out for an extended period of time, but it could be a blessing in disguise if it allows Dargie a chance to shine in the first team, as was the case with Colby Donovan after Alastair Johnstone’s injury.