Alistair Johnston gives Player of the Season shouts to Celtic duo outside of Daizen Maeda

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It’s time for Celtic to wrap up the team awards and those individual prizes.

As per, you expect Celtic to dominate on all fronts, especially if Brendan Rodgers secures the Treble, with St Johnstone and then Aberdeen or Hearts standing in their way of that triumph.

Yes, Rodgers has been annoyed of late with Celtic’s performances, but the fact of the matter is, the title will be confirmed pretty soon.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	33	26	3	4	97	22	75	81
2	RangersRangers	33	20	6	7	68	35	33	66
3	HibernianHibernian	33	14	11	8	54	41	13	53
4	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	33	14	8	11	41	40	1	50

Added to Celtic’s League Cup final success over Rangers at Hampden last December, it has been another campaign where those in green and white colours prove why they are Scotland’s most successful club.

Lots of players have played a key role in the Hoops’ success, including goalscoring machine Daizen Maeda.

Many expect the Japan star, who has taken things to another level since the turn of the year, to walk away with the Player of the Season award, but Alistair Johnston put two other names on the table.

• READ MORE: Celtic thumping of Kilmarnock sees Hoops legend Henrik Larsson’s scoring streak equalled

Alistair Johnston gives Player of the Season shouts to Callum McGregor and Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel signed a one-year contract when he replaced Joe Hart in between the sticks this season, and within months, he was extending his contract.

That proves the importance and key role Schmeichel has played, as Johnston put his name forward when discussing the Player of the Season candidates.

And, to nobody’s surprise, he also mentioned captain Callum McGregor, and how you ‘notice’ a difference when he isn’t playing, as he told Celtic TV.

“There are so many great options, obviously Daizen’s scoring goals for fun,” said Johnston. “When Callum (McGregor) is in the match versus when Callum isn’t in the match, you notice the difference.

“When you are still playing for another trophy, and you have got one in the bag. Hopefully, we are close to lifting up this league title. It means that everyone has been playing really well this year.

“Another one, Kasper, for example. I think there are so many great options. I am actually curious to see what the vote goes to. So many deserving winners.”

Johnston says it’s ‘tough’ to look past Daizen Maeda

Whilst the likes of McGregor, Schmeichel, and others deserve their flowers, it’s pretty clear that there is only one winner here.

Ever since Maeda took up that centre-forward role, he has reached serious heights in his game and is playing the best football of his career.

That’s why Johnston thinks Maeda ‘definitely deserves’ the crown of being the best player of the campaign.

“I think it’s tough to look past Daizen,” added Johnston. “His goal record speaks for itself. You see the company he has put himself into. 

“I am hearing some of the records he is breaking or equalling. Some of the names he is being compared to. It’s pretty impressive. I think that’s tough to overlook. My guess is that he is the front runner, and he will be a very deserving winner.

“Hopefully, if it could be anyone, then it would be Daizen. He definitely deserves it.”