English Premier League attacker admits there is one Celtic player he would ‘hate’ to play against

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Crystal Palace attacking midfielder, Daichi Kamada, has named the one Celtic player he would not enjoy playing against this week.

Kamada is on international duty with Japan and is set to face China in the AFC World Cup qualifier at the Saitama Stadium 2002 this morning.

Speaking ahead of the game, Kamada has identified one Celtic player he admits he would hate playing against, but he admits he has a close friendship with both on and off the pitch.

Kamada: Daizen Maeda is loved by ‘everyone’

Maeda is currently on international duty with Japan and Kamada has told of not only how he wouldn’t enjoy playing against him, but how well-respected the Celtic winger is amongst his Japanese teammates.

Kamada told the Daily Record [print edition page 44], “The player I’d hate to face in a game is Daizen because I don’t like coming up against players who run a lot.

“We have a brilliant relationship on and off the pitch. We sit together on the bus, we eat dinner, lunch and breakfast together. We always go to the sauna together.

“He even fetches me sweets and coffee even when I haven’t asked!

“Daizen is the type of person that everyone loves.

“I remember when he first came into the Japan team and he wasn’t really interacting with anyone. But I started talking to him, we became friends.

“And we have taken that relationship onto the pitch too which is good for Japan.”

Maeda’s value to Celtic

Daizen Maeda has been a tremendous addition to the Celtic team. Since his arrival in December 2021, the Japanese winger has terrorised defences in Scotland and, in particular, Rangers captain James Tavernier.

In 111 appearances in the green and white Hoops, Maeda has scored 32 goals and created 18 assists with four of each of those coming against the Glasgow rivals.

And in the recent Glasgow Derby, Maeda was superb as Celtic hammered Rangers 3-0.

However, it’s Maeda’s work rate of the ball that endears him to the Celtic support as he just never stops working hard for the team.

The Japan international is a brilliant member of the team and I genuinely believe he will go down as a cult hero when he is remembered by the Celtic fans in the future.