Is there a more popular player at Celtic right now than Daizen Maeda?!
Of course, everyone is hearing the news of Maeda being available for Celtic’s first-leg Champions League clash against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old was initially serving the second of his two-match ban after receiving a straight red card against Young Boys during the league phase.
But UEFA came to their senses, looked at Celtic’s appeal, reduced the ban and he is now available for that crucial tie at Parkhead.
Only over the weekend, Maeda netted a hat-trick as Celtic thrashed Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, with the all-action forward playing 90 minutes because, at the time, he wasn’t available for the Bayern match.
You presume that, if Brendan Rodgers could turn back time, then he probably wouldn’t have allowed Maeda to play the entire game.
But what that provided was for Maeda to enjoy a special moment before the start of the match against Raith Rovers.
Daizen Maeda showcases his class towards the Raith Rovers players
On every matchday, you will see players walk out with a mascot, or two, as lucky supporters are handed the chance to go onto the field with their favourite player.
But, for Celtic’s game against Raith Rovers, Maeda went out onto the pitch with his daughter and son.
And he took to social media to showcase his class by thanking the Raith Rovers players for showing ‘kindness’ to his kids, before wishing them ‘the best of luck for the rest of the season’.
‘Thank you to all the @RaithRovers players for being so kind to my daughter and son and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season,’ wrote Maeda.
Maeda a modern-day Celtic legend
Every day, Celtic fans are grateful to Ange Postecoglou for bringing three great Japanese players to the club from out of nowhere.
Kyogo Furuhashi has departed with his legacy intact, whilst Reo Hatate and Maeda remain.
Their popularity continues to grow, especially the man on the left flank because he is playing his best football right now.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Premiership | 22 | 8 | 7 | 1.616′ |
 | UEFA Champions League | 7 | 3 | – | 582′ |
 | League Cup | 3 | 6 | 1 | 282′ |
 | SFA Cup | 2 | 4 | – | 180 |
| Total 24/25: | 34 | 21 | 8 | 2.660′ | |
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