Celtic have had a tough season. With three different managers taking the helm this campaign, Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy and Martin O'Neill, life hasn't been easy for Hoops supporters.
Now, the Parkhead side sit third in the Scottish Premiership after a terrible 2-0 loss to Dundee United at the weekend. They remain five points off Hearts in the top spot, and now trail Rangers, who are two points ahead going into the international break.
A reason as to why the team has been struggling is that players have been underperforming all over the park. The team have also suffered from injuries to key players such as Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, and now Julian Araujo, leaving them struggling for consistency.
One position that has often been under scrutiny this campaign has been winger. A glance at the statistics will tell you why.
Celtic winger statistics - 2024/25
Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Daizen Maeda | 51 | 33 | 12 |
Nicolas Kuhn | 51 | 21 | 15 |
Yang | 34 | 6 | 6 |
James Forrest | 33 | 1 | 7 |
Jota | 16 | 5 | 2 |
Celtic winger statistics - 2025/26
Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Daizen Maeda | 45 | 8 | 8 |
Yang | 38 | 8 | 1 |
James Forrest | 34 | 1 | 1 |
Sebastian Tounekti | 38 | 5 | 2 |
Joel Mvuka | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Michel-Ange Balikwisha | 14 | 0 | 2 |
It doesn't take an expert to see the unbelievable fall-off that Celtic wingers have had. Maeda, in particular, went from scoring 33 goals in all competitions last season to not even breaking double digits so far this campaign.
It has been a shocking time for the position, but the club did bring new players in for that position, leaving the question as to why wingers have underperformed so much this season.
What happened at Celtic?
Even though Celtic managed to get names through the door, they still missed out on some targets who could have replaced the outgoing Kuhn. He offered something big, and the Hoops have failed to replicate that with any of their new signings.
Some of the names that the Celts missed out on include Jocelin Ta Bi (although this now looks like a good thing), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Farès Ghedjemis, and Damir Redzic. Some of them opted for different clubs on their own accord, but other deals fell through due to the club trying to barter a lower price. If you want the best players, you have to pay the money.
The players we have at the club should be doing better though. Maeda has essentially chucked in the towel after a potential departure for him fell through, and although people at the club claim he is happy, that's not showing on the pitch.
Other players like Yang are finally finding a bit of form, but considering it's coming when the Celts are trailing and in a difficult position to win the league from, it may be too little too late.
The names that did come in, like Balikwisha and Mvuka, have been nothing short of horrendous. Both can barely get a game for the club. Mvuka will return to his parent club in the summer, with Balikwisha likely to be moved on as well for a massive financial loss.
Hopefully, next season will be better on the wing, but unless major changes are made, we could continue to struggle in that department.