Celtic defender Alistair Johnston absolutely loves being a teammate of standout Saturday performer Daizen Maeda, making clear his admiration to reporters after the win over Livingston.
Maeda was on the scoresheet late on at Almondvale but his 90-minute performance wasn’t just about that stunning effort. His work rate was immense and helped Celtic come through an hour of being down to ten men.
Brendan Rodgers singled him out for praise post-match and Johnston quickly followed that up, waxing lyrical about what he sees from the Japanese international on a daily basis.
The Canadian said [Celtic Way]: “He’s a machine. That’s the simplest way to look at it. You look back at the Rangers match and he was just flying around the pitch for 90 minutes and it was the same in this match as well. He’s got an unbelievable engine.
“He’s a nightmare to play or train against. Just ask any of our full-backs who have to go up against him. He’s just constant and he’s like this every day. Which makes it really difficult for us although it’s good to train against a guy like that. You can never take a minute off.
“He really does count for two on that side as you think you bypass him with the ball and he’s doubling down, pressing the guy again. It’s amazing to watch from my side across the pitch as you know the guy doesn’t know what’s coming as all of a sudden Daizen is there again.
“He’s a joy to have in your team, he’s such a weapon. He just helps us out in so many ways; on the attacking side we see the goal he scored in the 90th minute and then the defensive side as well. He’s really special to have.”
The comments demonstrate just how valued Maeda is by his Celtic teammates. Some fans and pundits considered that he might be an Ange Postecoglou specialist. The player himself admitted he was having to adjust to a new way of thinking under Brendan Rodgers.
But Rodgers is now finding how to utilise him best and there’s no better evidence of that than Saturday’s performance in West Lothian. If he can find consistency at the level he showed this weekend, he’ll be a first-choice pick on the flank throughout the season and a significant thorn in any opponent’s side.
In other news, The Celtic squad’s funny response to Joe Hart’s dressing room address at Livingston.
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