Barry Ferguson’s spell in the Rangers dugout was short-lived, as he watched Celtic lift another Premiership crown.
The former midfielder did everything he could to try and stop Celtic in their quest, including that late win at Parkhead, as well as the 1-1 draw at Ibrox.
On paper, it’s only two matches, but it was still enough time for Ferguson to get to know and really understand what this trophy-winning Celtic team is like up close and personal.
Callum McGregor is the main man in the middle of the park for the Hoops, as he is the one with the armband, and everything goes through him, but Ferguson also wanted to give Daizen Maeda his flowers.
Ex-Rangers boss Barry Ferguson admits he was ‘taken aback’ by Celtic’s Daizen Maeda
Ferguson was aware of Maeda’s qualities and threat after watching him from afar, but seeing him ‘close up’, he admitted that he was ‘taken aback.’
Speaking on Go Radio, Ferguson lauded and applauded the Japan star’s skill set, and how he is the one that ‘wins them games’, including his threat with the ball.
Ferguson also wanted to note that Maeda is ‘bigger than you think’ when you are watching him work his magic from the touchline.
“Maeda was the one who stood out, for me,” stated Ferguson. “Just his work ethic. Real good quality.
“I thought, when he first came, his final product when he went into the final third let him down, but once you see him close up, yeah, he is a player.
“He is the one who, apart from Callum McGregor, who makes them tick, he is the one that wins them games. Not just his quality with the ball, without the ball. That’s the thing that jumped out to me.
“At times, he was way beyond the left-back helping out. Then, when you actually stand beside him, there was one where the ball went out to the touchline, and I was standing, he is actually bigger than you think. He is built like a brick, I can’t say the other word.
“Yeah, he impressed me. I think he has improved – I was taken aback with how good he was. He was one player that we earmarked. You can’t give him space. You need to be touch-tight with him constantly. You give him a yard or two, then he will destroy you.”
Maeda’s Celtic season in numbers
The 2024/25 campaign was, without a doubt, the best of Maeda’s career and one where he took the next step on the domestic stage and in Europe.
It was an easy call to name Maeda Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year, as he walked away with all the individual prizes.
- Games: 51
- Goals: 33
- Assists: 12
- Trophies: 2
Brendan Rodgers will be glad that Maeda is still on board ahead of the new season because if he gets anywhere near what he is capable of, then Celtic will clean up the trophies once more.
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