Daizen Maeda did something vs Hearts that only six other Celtic players have achieved in 21st century

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Daizen Maeda has been a revelation for Celtic this season, particularly after moving infield as a central striker.

Maeda has predominantly played as a winger with the Hoops since his initial loan move and subsequent £1.6m transfer from Yokohama F. Marinos.

But after the £10m departure of countryman Kyogo to Stade Rennais in the January transfer window, his productivity has increased tenfold.

The 27-year-old has turned into the most lethal striker in the Premiership and that was on show for everyone to see on Saturday as Celtic thumped Hearts 3-0 at Parkhead.

Maeda scored twice in the first-half against the Jambos, his first a clinical finish after a great pass from Callum McGregor, and his second an easy tap in at the back post.

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Daizen Maeda passes 30 goals for Celtic this season

It took Maeda to 30 goals scored across all competitions for Celtic this season – and only six other players this century have hit that milestone for the Hoops.

Celtic’s greatest ever striker Henrik Larsson hit 30 plus goals four seasons in a row between 2000/01 and 2003/04 – 53, 35, 44 and 41.

It took another nine years for the feat to be achieved again, with Gary Hooper netting 31 goals across the 2012/13 campaign as Celtic won the last ever SPL title.

Kris Commons, playing as an attacking midfielder, equalled Hooper’s tally in the 2013/14 season, before deadly striker Leigh Griffiths hit 40 two years later.

Moussa Dembele’s first campaign as a Celtic player produced 32 goals across the historic Invincible Treble-winning season.

And Kyogo Furuhashi hit 34 goals in all competitions in 2022/23 as Ange Postecoglou led Celtic to a world record eighth domestic Treble.

Celtic fans react to Maeda vs Hearts

Reacting to Maeda’s goalscoring exploits, Celtic fans took to social media platform X.

One supporter said: “Make him our highest paid player when you offer him that new deal (you best be offering him a new deal) he is unreal him, Engel, CalMac, Hatate and big Jeff were fantastic in that first half”.

Another wrote: “Get the cheque book out lads”.

This fan posted: “Give him that pay raise and my wife”.

This Celtic fan said: “Announce the 10 year contract”.

While another punter stated: “Messi Suarez Neymar could never”.