BBC pundits name Celtic star who could win Player of the Year ahead of ‘phenomenal’ Daizen Maeda

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Celtic fans are blessed to watch Daizen Maeda work his magic week in and week out.

The 27-year-old just can’t be stopped and he has added some serious end product to his all-action and never-ending running.

Under Ange Postecoglou, Maeda was a success, including winning the Treble, but many felt that the finishing was lacking.

But now, the Celtic Park faithful are watching the Japan star hit levels that etch his name alongside some of the greats to don the club’s colours.

On Saturday evening, Celtic beat St Mirren 5-2 in Paisley to move 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42

Of course, it wouldn’t be a game where Maeda isn’t finding the back of the net for Celtic and his latest strike was one of his best yet.

That’s 26 goals for the season in all competitions and talk of Maeda being Player of the Year have already been discussed.

READ MORE: Three winners and one loser as Celtic beat St Mirren, including super sub Hyunjun Yang

Celtic’s Daizen Maeda heading towards becoming ‘Player of the Year’

After a ball over the top from super sub Hyunjun Yang, the man of the moment took what Cammy Bell described as a ‘phenomenal touch inside’ to put himself one-v-one with the goalkeeper and then he finished off the rest.

Former keeper Bell wasn’t the only one waxing lyrical about the Japanese hitman, with Michael Stewart also thinking he is ‘hitting form at the right moment’ for him to become Player of the Year.

But, in case he doesn’t get that coveted individual prize, Bell put Nicolas Kuhn’s name down on the table, even though he has ‘cooled off a little bit’, as he told Sportscene.

“This goal by Maeda, phenomenal touch inside, just the compsure with the left foot and slides it past the goalkeeper,” said Bell. “Oh, he is phenomenal and just growing in confidence as well.

On Maeda being Player of the Year: “Kuhn has cooled off a little bit. I still think there is time for him to come back and hit that red-hot form.

“But Maeda, at this moment in time, is unstoppable. I think he is playing at the top form of his football that can play. He looks so exciting and so composed. Incredible (26 goals for the season). His confidence is just oozing.”

Stewart added: “Yes (I would have Maeda as the Player of the Year) because he is hitting form at the right moment.

“The fact that he has banged in 26 goals this season so far. But it’s the compsure. He has taken it to another level this season, Maeda.”

Maeda’s stats this season vs Nicolas Kuhn

In Celtic’s biggest moments this season, Maeda and Kuhn have stepped up. Go back to Celtic’s League Cup final win over Rangers or any of the multiple Champions League matches.

That’s why their numbers this season in all competitions have been hitting the roof.

This is great viewing for Celtic supporters because imagine the damage they will also cause next season.

Celtic are on course for the Treble, win that and keep the main men on board for the next campaign, then there is no reason for history to repeat itself again.