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Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
Daizen Maeda teases that a new trademark Celtic goal celebration is coming soon
Daizen Maeda has been a joy to watch in Celtic colours since he arrived from Yokohama F.Marinos in January.
Trusted by Ange Postecoglou to play a crucial role in our push for the Scottish Premiership title last season, Maeda quickly built a reputation as a fierce competitor, lightning-quick attacker and goalscorer.
With those goals usually comes his trademark celebration – an impression of anime superhero character Anpanman.
Maeda soon explained that it was all for his young daughter, who enjoyed watching the cartoon and seeing her father replicate it on television.
It became popular with fans and teammates, too – with Josip Juranovic usually getting in on the action alongside Maeda for photos.
Now though, we could be about to see something different from the 24-year-old, as shared in an interview with Japanese sports magazine Number.
Maeda has explained that his daughter is no longer a fan of Anpanman and that it could be time for something new!
The Celtic star said, laughing [machine translated by DeepL]: “Recently, Anpanman is no longer of interest to my daughter. I want to celebrate goals for my children, but my wife also said to me, ‘Why don’t you change Anpanman?’
“I’m not sure what kind of celebration I will do in the new season. I’d like to talk with my daughter again and decide what kind of celebration.”
With a couple of goals in pre-season already, including a delicious backheel on Saturday against Norwich City, we might get the opportunity to see a new routine sooner rather than later if he can replicate that form when the competitive stuff kicks off.
Maeda scored eight goals in half a season last term but will be looking to hit sold double figures over the coming campaign.
With a starting berth against Aberdeen on Sunday likely, hopefully he can make his mark, not just for the Celtic supporters, but also for his family.
In other news, Report: City Group link ruled out as Celtic take transfer breath.
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