Daizen Maeda makes a vow to Celtic fans as he admits ‘I wasn’t performing’

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It’s a rarity for a footballer to be willing to look in the mirror and admit that they haven’t been performing at their best.

For Daizen Maeda, the dazzling forward behind Celtic’s recent win over Falkirk, that self-reflection has now become the driving force to push Martin O’Neill’s side towards the Premiership title.

While Maeda’s brace and high press wowed the Celtic Park crowd over the weekend, the Japanese international was forthright in what he thought about it all.

“Every time the supporters were helping us,” said Maeda.

“But personally, I wasn’t performing well enough to give them back. So the next four games I will try my best to give them back everything.”

• READ MORE: John Higgins winds up Ally McCoist over Rangers losing ground to Celtic in title race

Was that Daizen Maeda’s best performance of the season?

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Daizen Maeda vows to give back ‘everything’ to Celtic fans during title run-in

In a turbulent season marred by managerial changes, cancelled AGMs, non-stop fan protests, and a chaotic three-way title battle, Maeda has refused to hide behind any excuses.

Instead, the all-action forward, who was named Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year last season, took ownership of his indifferent and frustrating campaign.

For Celtic’s win over Falkirk, one of the talking points was the positive energy inside the stadium, and also the Green Brigade being back in town.

Maeda has felt the unwavering support from the Celtic fans, acknowledging that he had not done enough to reward their continued backing and patience.

This is a solemn vow from a player seeking redemption.

If the Japan star continues to unleash that promised energy and goalscoring threat during the remaining post-split fixtures, he could just be the difference to drag the Hoops to unlikely glory and a domestic double.

“I think individually and collectively, we have space to improve,” Maeda told Celtic TV. “I will try my best to be on the camera every game. 

“Every time the supporters were helping us, but personally, I wasn’t performing well to give them back, so the next four games I will try my best to give them back everything.”