’Shake of the head’: Sky presenter shares what Livi player told him about Celtic’s Daizen Maeda

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Gordon Duncan has shared that a Livingston player told him that he ‘couldn’t believe’ how much Celtic star Daizen Maeda runs without the ball.

It was one of the best wins of the season on Saturday when ten-man Celtic, who saw Joe Hart sent off in the first half, beat Livingston 3-0.

Despite being in that situation, and the fact that it was the early kick-off on Saturday after playing in the Champions League, then it proves how impressive that display was.

One of the big reasons behind Brendan Rodgers’ side securing the three points and clean sheet was Daizen Maeda, with the Celtic star leaving one Livi player ‘shaking his head’ at his quality as Gordon Duncan told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard. 

Gordon Duncan presented Sky Sports’ coverage of Celtic’s trip to Livingston, with Neil Lennon praising Daizen Maeda after the game.

But he shared a conversation he had with one player, albeit that he didn’t name him, about Maeda, and it shouldn’t surprise the fans.

Daizen Maeda praise from Livi player

“It doesn’t matter who it was, it’s not some big exclusive or revealing a private conversation,” said Duncan.

“But I spoke to a Livi player who played at the weekend and (the conversation) about Maeda came up. 

“It was that sort of shake of the head and widen of the eyes. Saying ‘I can’t believe how much he runs’. It’s easy for us to say ‘Oh look at this guy’ from the outside.

“But players who are on the pitch genuinely can’t believe it, which to me, is surprising – a lot of players have worked hard, but it seems as though he does the intense sprints all the time.”

Maeda deserves recent coverage

A lot has been said about Maeda after the weekend win and it’s deserved for a player that should get more plaudits for his work.

Whilst Joe Hart will be annoyed with his sending-off, a lot of good came out of that because Maeda was outstanding and he topped off his performance with a goal.

That has since put more spotlight on the player and he has been rightly lauded left, right and centre.