Daizen Maeda has made huge strides under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic this season.
During the first half of the campaign, Maeda was performing very well, but since scoring that trophy-winning penalty in Celtic’s League Cup final win over Rangers at Hampden in December, he has gone to the next level.
There was a period during the campaign where many felt that Nicolas Kuhn was going to be Player of the Year.
But, fast forward to the present, and it’s fair to say that it’s going to be Maeda winning Player of the Year because he has stormed to the top of the list like nobody else.
Whether it’s the Japan star’s four goals in the Champions League or 20-goal involvements in the Premiership, he can’t and won’t be stopped.
Even when Celtic lost to Rangers on Sunday and shot themselves in the foot, the man bringing the champions-elect back into the game is Maeda.
He is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Rodgers and the Celtic manager will be hoping his services will be available next season.
- READ MORE: Shunsuke Nakamura shares what he has been ‘hearing a lot’ about Celtic’s Daizen Maeda from Japan
Daizen Maeda addresses his Celtic future
Before the Glasgow derby, Maeda did an interview with Sky, where he discussed all things Celtic, as well as his future.
The 27-year-old is at the peak of his powers, scoring goals in Europe’s elite competition, so the fans are going to understand if there is interest in his services.
But Maeda is unsure about his long-term future at Celtic, it’s honesty from the player, but not what the fans want to hear, as he told Sky Sports Football (16/03/25 at 11:55 am).
A reporter asked: ‘You seem so settled, so for you when you see other players leave, for you, is it Celtic for the long term?’
Maeda responded: “Well, I am not sure. That’s a difficult question. While I am here. I always want to fight and play for Celtic. I want to keep focusing and playing for the team.”
What Maeda regards as ‘more important’ than goals and assists
The fact that Maeda has now added that end product to his game, it has made him more lethal and as dangerous as ever.
He has scored in every competition this season, 28 goals in total from 42 matches and nine assists to boot.
But Maeda shared what he regards as ‘more important’ than goals and assists, as the answer won’t surprise anyone.
“I don’t have anything particular that I am working on,” said Maeda. “However, things I have been working on are paying off just now as numbers.
“At least, I have a lot of confidence to play and I think that’s the biggest reason for that.
“For me, it’s (workrate) is more important than assists or goals. No matter how many you score or assist, if you don’t work hard, it’s not good for me, so I think it’s important for me.”
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