Daizen Maeda is desperate to blow teams away for Celtic alongside his countryman Kyogo Furuhashi.
Maeda, a speed merchant with fantastic finishing, movement and unbelievable acceleration, is a player Celtic fans are dying to see. And speaking to the press for the first time since arriving in Scotland, the former Yokohama F Marinos man said he was plotting with Kyogo on how to attack opposition defences.
The ex-Matsumoto Yamaga forward is the latest to join a fearsome front-line at Celtic Park. Summer signings Kyogo, Jota and Liel Abada have all hit the ground running. Meanwhile, Giorgos Giakoumakis is waiting to make his impact, having been Eredivisie’s top scorer last season.
Japanese striker Maeda was announced on Hogmanay alongside Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi in a bold triple-signing. Signed twice now by Ange Postecoglou, the former Marinos striker was joint-top scorer in the J League last season [J League/Instagram].
At a press conference shared by Maeda, Hatate and Ideguchi, attended by 67 Hail Hail, Maeda said he was excited to play with Kyogo, and terrorise opposition. He said [Clyde 1]:
“Both of us, we have similar speed as a strength, I would say. So at the moment I’m thinking of how we can apply pressure to the opposing team when it comes to attacking.
“I’m extremely looking forward to playing with Kyogo, but also with [my] entire teammates.”
A duo of Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi sounds amazing for Celtic supporters
As much as the winter break made utter sense, and was entirely justified in the end, it’s almost cruel that we have to wait to see Daizen Maeda in this Celtic team.
Because everything we’ve seen him do thus far in the J League, and everything we’ve heard? Frightening. Utterly frightening. If Scottish defences had a hard enough time keeping track of Kyogo, throwing Daizen Maeda in the mix is beyond tantalising.
This isn’t to put any pressure on the guy, obviously; it could well take time for him to adjust, and bear in mind he’s just played a full season of football. However, it’s hard not to get excited about what Maeda could bring to the Celtic attack.
Imagining how devastating the Celtic front three could be, and the combinations therein? It’s truly exciting stuff. You could make a case for saying it’s the most exciting a Celtic attack has looked, in terms of depth, since the Martin O’Neill days. That is, if we get our forwards all fit and ready simultaneously.
Exciting times, though, that’s for sure.
Unless, of course, you’re a defender in a team that doesn’t wear Green and White Hoops.
Read more: “He is ready”; Celtic boss Postecoglou backs summer signing in Greek TV interview
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