Celtic: Iheanacho central & Maeda on right – did it work?

The obvious answer is no, given Celtic failed to score.

However, they did threaten enough to win most games and Rodgers seemed happy with the performance, also citing a superb defensive display from Hibs.

“I think every metric in the game we were dominant,” he said. “I thought our football was really good, we went through the pitch well, but we just lacked that killer instinct in the box.”

Celtic were unlucky at times, with Iheanacho and the impressive Marcelo Saracchi both denied by the crossbar in the first half. Maeda laid one on of those on a plate showing excellent pace and delivery.

On another day, the home side would have scored at least once, as an xG of 3 reinforces.

The former Celtic midfielder John Collins believes Maeda is still not quite hitting the heights he can since revealing he wanted to leave last month.

“I don’t think you should ever make that public,” Collins said on Sportsound. “It is a dangerous thing to do.

“The reality is he’s been a great servant, a great buy for Celtic, an unbelievable season last year, but in football, it’s all about today. What you did last week means nothing and these Celtic fans demand 100% commitment on the pitch.

“In fairness to him, that’s what he’s given from day one, but he looks jaded.”

Celtic had 26 shots against Hibs and that stat is reflective of their dominance – but only six were on target. Iheanacho did net, only to find himself just offside.

Of concern might be that, despite already striking woodwork, it took until the 39th minute for the home side to get a shot directly on target.

They’ve been unusually blunt – only one of their eight Premiership goals has come in the first half of their six league games so far – and Rodgers knew he needed better quality in forward areas.

He’s got some of that belated with Iheanacho, but it seems Maeda will find himself on the right after feeling wronged at not getting his move.