Celtic have a number of players in their ranks who are regulars with their national team.
Kasper Schmeichel has over 100 caps for Denmark and has appeared in World Cup’s and Euros with the Danish squad.
Alistair Johnston is another Celtic hero with over 50 caps for Canada and has enjoyed success in FIFA’s elite tournament as well as reaching the semi-final’s of the Gold Cup with the North American side.
However, it’s neither of these players who is being tipped as a potential World Cup winner as one national manager hails a Celtic star for his knowledge of the game and ‘superb skills’.
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Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu blown away by ‘superb’ Daizen Maeda at Celtic
Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu is famed for his bizarre criticism of Kyogo Furuhashi during his time at Celtic. The national boss once refused to select the ex-Celtic striker because of his views on the standard of Scottish football.
Which is strange considering he continued to select and play Daizen Maeda. And with the World Cup not too far away, Moriyasu is predicting glory for his country with the Celtic striker in the side.
Moriyasu told the Daily Record, “We now have many players in the squad who can score goals. Daizen’s shown that quality many times this season. He has outstanding physical fitness and superb skills.
“But more importantly, he has an extremely high football IQ. He’s a thinker with a deep understanding of the game. He not only scores, but links the entire team with his all-round play.
“Japanese football is facing a happy problem – we have more and more world-class players. It’s certainly a good thing, but as a coach I also have to make painful decisions.
“If we can get the whole country behind us at the next World Cup and with the players we have in the squad, we have a chance of lifting the trophy.”
Celtic hero Daizen Maeda’s record with Japan
Maeda currently has 23 caps for Japan and has represented his country at World Cup level and in the Copa America.
Maeda has scored four goals at national level and is clearly a huge part of Moriyasu’s plans. So with that in mind, here is where the Celtic striker has hit the back of the net for his country:
- 6/10/22: Japan 4 v 1 Ghana
- 12/5/22: 2022 World Cup Last 16: Japan 1 v 1 Croatia [Croatia win 3-1 on penalties]
- 6/20/23: Japan 4 v 1 Peru
- 9/5/24: Japan 7 v 0 China
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