Daizen Maeda

Feel he suits playing on the wing better than as a lone striker. Always more space to get in behind defences out wide.

 

Still a lot more to come from him, can see his energy levels are much higher now compared to last month, his touch will come.

Looks far more natural on the left as well.

 

Still excellent at what he’s best at, pressing and getting back, making runs… but tonight he looked far better in the areas he’s been criticised in.

 

Much better on the wing for me.

 

Another very good performance from him. His closing down and work rate is probably the best I’ve seen from any Celtic player. A huge asset to have. He come here as the top goal scorer in Japan. I really don’t see that to be honest, not in this team anyway. He offers a lot more for us playing as a winger. I’d really like to see us take up the option to buy him.

 

He gets some good crosses in but still looks a goal threat. I think he suits it fine, especially with a fit GG playing beside him.

 

Hard player to suss out he looked good tonight but has been poor out wide previously defo a great player to have

 

I think he looked a lot more confident and at ease tonight.
Needs to tidy up his passing and final ball still at times but definitely used his pace to better effect in an attacking sense tonight and as always his work rate and pressing was great.

The one he was flagged offside in the first half was an excellent run.

 

Unlucky to have his goal chalked off as well..

Weird one second half when he looked clean in and Butcher outpaced him. Either tired or didn't want to commit with us being comfortable and pick up an injury..

Needs to calm down when he's in a crossing position..

 

I'm sure somewhere Kris Boyd will be shouting about needing VAR in this country NOW!

 

Coming into his own now.

Domestically I would say he’s more suited to playing on the left.

 

Still not 100% sure on him. Definitely improving which is encouraging though. Lacks a bit of composure at times. Not sure I’d fancy him running through on goal or breaking down the wing and having to play a simple cross in late on to grab as a goal. Great worker and finds himself in good positions for picking up scraps infront of goal as we’ve seen with his goals so far. Will hopefully come the more he settles.

 

A constant threat..

Yes, he lacks finesse, but must be a dream teammate.

 

I was a little bit harsh on him after the St Mirren game, thought he really brought our play down, but he is absolutely everywhere, his pressing game is completely unmatched.

I think he still needs to a little bit more if he's to become a starter for us (when everyone is fit) but he's the perfect sub to bring on at the 60/70 minute mark.

 

He's winning me over so this is probably doing him a bit of disservice here...but he's like a Bugatti engine in a Toyota Aygo lol

 

Great workraye and pressing, and some nice touches. His passing really needs to improve though.

 

If you’re talking about making your mark from the off, Daizen Maeda certainly fits that category, taking just four minutes to announce himself as a Celtic player.

Scoring on his debut at Celtic Park against Hibernian in January, the winter signing from Yokohama F Marinos has settled in well, adding more goals to team as they look to push on to lift more titles this season.

For the brand new edition of The Celtic View magazine, we take inspiration from the Japanese connections in the club’s history, with special exclusive interviews and features.

Daizen Maeda sat down with the View and here we take a short look at some of his best quotes from his time so far in the Hoops



Speaking exclusively to the Celtic View about his debut goal and more, including the origins of his unique goal celebration, Maeda said: “I still remember that night and that moment clearly. It was an excellent night for me and the team.


“I did have the chance to join in the summer, but I wanted to try and win the league with Yokohama.

“That didn’t happen in the end and I made the move to Celtic and I’m really happy with being here now and trying to contribute to the team.

“The ultimate goal is the league and if I can score lots of goals then that means I can help the team in that ambition.”

 

He will get there am sure of it all our Japanese boys will