Neil Lennon has waxed lyrical about Daizen Maeda and how he has just got ‘better and better’ as his Celtic career has progressed.
The 25-year-old opened his account for the new season when Celtic brushed aside Livingston in their backyard on Saturday, despite Joe Hart’s moment of madness and red card in the first half.
When you are down to ten men, then someone like Daizen Maeda is the perfect player to have on your side because he will cover the ground for two players, as Brendan Rodgers found out at the weekend.
That’s why the Bhoys’ 1-0 lead, when Hart got sent off, was turned into three by the time the full-time whistle blew, as well as an impressive clean sheet, with Lennon lauding Maeda, as he told Sky Sports Football (23/09/23 at 2:45 pm).
Bearing in mind that the players were in Holland in midweek, then played the early kick-off on Saturday, and were down to ten men early, then it’s even more impressive that the clean sheet was secured.
The effort that Maeda showed throughout the game was rewarded with a well-taken and brilliant curling effort in stoppage time, which just put the cherry on top of the cake for all.
Daizen Maeda getting better and better
“He’s a wonderful team player,” said Lennon. “What he brings to the team, not just with the ball, but off the ball.
“He is another one who has just got better and better as his Celtic career has progressed.”
Celtic starting to motor
Sitting top of the tree. Unbeaten. Win over Rangers. And a number of squad players shining.
It has been a pretty impressive return to the dugout for Rodgers, with the only blip being that midweek Champions League defeat.
It’s a trip to Fir Park next, before that all-important Champions League home tie against Lazio.
That game is going to be huge and will determine what type of mood Celtic will be in for the rest of October.
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