Deadly Daizen is more than just Celtic’s Duracell bunny

IF they were giving out awards for defending from the front, Daizen Maeda would have to clear plenty of space on his mantelpiece.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has gone so far as to suggest that no player in world football is currently superior to Maeda when it comes to putting pressure on the opposition from an attacking position.

There is little doubt that the Japanese striker has been Celtic’s most striking and effective player so far this season as they have made a flawless start in the defense of their Premiership title.

Maeda’s seemingly tireless willingness to hunt and hunt when not in possession is a quality that is, understandably, highly valued by Rodgers.

Of course, Maeda has a lot more to offer than just drawing comparisons to the Duracell Bunny for its playing style.

The 26-year-old is currently Celtic’s top scorer with six goals from his eight appearances so far this season, with a few assists thrown in for good measure.

It’s an area of ​​his game that Maeda is very proud of and he has revealed that he hopes to set new standards on that front between now and the end of the campaign.

“I think if I keep playing like this, scoring and assisting in every game, the numbers will definitely go beyond what I have done in my previous seasons here,” he said.

Maeda was initially loaned out in January 2022 and scored eight times in the second half of that season as Celtic won the first of their current run of three consecutive titles.

He picked up 11 in his first full season at the club and then 10 last season as he adjusted to the managerial change from Ange Postecoglou to Rodgers.

“For me the numbers were small,” Maeda added, “and I want to score as many goals as possible.

‘I don’t overthink the numbers in terms of goals or assists because the most important thing for me is contributing to the team’s victory.

“But if my grades go up this season, that would be great. However, the most important thing is always the team. If the team plays well, that is the most important thing for me.’

Maeda’s career best result was the 23 goals he scored for previous club Yokohama Marinos in 2021, when he was joint top scorer in the J-League. He already feels he could match that level for Celtic this season. “I have a similar feeling compared to when I played for Marinos that year,” Maeda said.

‘Hopefully I can score as many goals as possible for Celtic this time. Obviously there will be periods in the season when I can’t score. That will certainly come.

‘I have to be patient in those moments and try to get more opportunities to help the team.’

Maeda admits he was annoyed at being denied another goal during his current rich run of form, when his superbly executed early try against St Johnstone in the game at McDiarmid Park last Saturday night was disallowed following a VAR review.

It was ruled that teammate Auston Trusty had fouled Graham Carey in the build-up to the match, a ruling that divided opinion among the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incidents panel when they reviewed it.

“I was frustrated at the time, but in the end I got a goal,” said Maeda, who excelled in the 6-0 defeat to Saints.

‘Now I feel like I can score in every game. I can’t really bear the frustration about the canceled goal, because I scored one again.’

Maeda is happy to share the load up front for a Celtic side in which Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah are the only recognized central strikers.

“I don’t know if my goals take any pressure off the attackers,” he said. ‘But the other players think the same as me. They want to help the team. I am not a player who leads the team, but I do try to lead in the way I play. This is how I try to take responsibility on the field.’

After the embarrassment of their 7-1 Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Tuesday evening, Celtic return to more palatable domestic fare this afternoon when they take on Ross County in Dingwall.

They will look to record their seventh consecutive league win since the start of the season, a run that has also seen them yet to concede a goal in the Premier League.

Maeda will look to sign for Celtic in style before the call of duty during an international break as Japan hopes to move closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals. They made a perfect start last month, beating China 7-0 and Bahrain 5-0, and will be keen to maintain their momentum when they play Saudi Arabia in Jeddah next Thursday and Australia in Saitama the following Tuesday.

Maeda, who scored his fourth goal for his country in the victory over China, is keen to add to his 19 caps as he faces the prospect of representing them on the biggest stage of them all for a second time.

He was one of Japan’s top players in Qatar two years ago and helped them reach the last 16, scoring in the 1-1 draw against Croatia before losing a penalty shoot-out.

“Looking at my career, it would be great to play in the World Cup final again,” Maeda said.

‘It will all depend on how I play at club level. I have to do my best in every game at Celtic.

‘After that, playing for Japan will be my main focus.

‘Can this team qualify for the World Cup? Certainly.’