Martin O’Neill compares forward to Daizen Maeda after impressive Celtic cameo
Strong start from the bench for the forward
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Martin O’Neill believes new Celtic forward Camilo Duran has attributes similar to Daizen Maeda after the new signing made an encouraging appearance from the bench during Celtic’s pre-season match against Sporting Lisbon.
Speaking after the match, O’Neill highlighted Duran’s contribution after the forward pressed Lisbon into an error which presented him with a chance he was able to take for his first Celtic goal.
Although only a small sample size, Duran’s pace, energy and willingness to press defenders, suggested qualities similar to that possessed by want away forward Maeda.
When asked about the Columbian’s performance O’Neill said
“Just delighted with him. I didn’t think he got a great deal of service at the end of all you know with the changes that we made during the course of the game. Overall, yeah, I think he will be a really good acquisition for us. You know, we talked about Maeda being able to close players down. He might be the second Maeda in that aspect. He certainly has a willingness to do so. And I think there’s just once or twice it looked as if he was just going to break away and do some things during the course of the time that he was on. But overall, yeah, I was very pleased with him. He wants to do well. He genuinely does.”
With pre-season continuing, Duran will now hope to build on that performance and stake his claim for further opportunities in the first team.
Opinion
Maeda has become one of Celtic’s most important players because of his relentless work rate, pressing and movement.
If Duran can offer those similar qualities in attack it will help soften the blow of the inevitable Maeda sale. It’s a positive for O’Neill to have an alternative energetic attacking option available this season. Of course it’s one cameo appearance from the bench, it’s an encouraging start from the Columbian ahead of the competitive football starting.
Source: Martin O’Neill (post-match comments Celtic Player Interview)
All views expressed on Celtic DNA are personal opinions and are for commentary and discussion purposes only
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