‘He’s proved me wrong’ – John Collins is in awe of ‘incredible’ Celtic talent

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Celtic have a number of players who have been excelling this season under Brendan Rodgers.

Alistair Johnston has been one of Celtic’s standout performers, as well as the likes of Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn.

To a man, every Celtic first-team player has made an impact this season as the club continues to dominate domestically as well as making strides in Europe.

Celtic beat Hibs yesterday to book their place in the Scottish Cup semi-final draw tonight but before the game, John Collins admitted that one of Rodgers’ stars this season has really proved him wrong.

• READ MORE: Pat Bonner tells ‘superb’ Celtic player he was ‘unlucky’ not to start vs Hibs in the Scottish Cup

John Collins got it all wrong about Celtic hero Daizen Maeda

Collins was running the rule over the Celtic starting XI and prior to kick-off, he admitted that he never anticipated watching Daizen Maeda turning into the player that he is now.

Collins told BBC Radio Scotland, “First of all, no surprise, strong team as usual. The first thing you look at is the top of the pitch, Maeda, Kuhn and Jota.

“All goalscorers. Jota has come back as the entertainer. Every time he gets the ball, you think in the final third, he’s going to create something or score a goal.

“Maeda’s goalscoring is incredible. If you’d asked me a couple of years ago would Maeda be a central striker and score 25-30 goals for Celtic, I don’t see that, but he’s proved me wrong.

“He’s got a terrific work ethic on top of the goals. He works tirelessly for the team, and Kuhn’s proved this series especially that he’s a goalscorer and a creator as well.”

Five of Daizen Maeda’s most important Celtic goals this season

Maeda notched his 27th goal of the season for Celtic yesterday and has scored in every competition he has played in.

So here, 67 Hail Hail takes a look at the five most important goals the Japanese winger has scored for Celtic this season.

• 1/9/2024: Celtic 3 v 0 Rangers. Maeda scored one and created one to put the Hoops’ city rivals in their box early in the season.

• 27/11/2024: Celtic 1 v 1 Club Brugge. The Japanese winger scores a crucial equaliser to help Celtic qualify from the Champions League group stages.
• 15/12/2024: Celtic 3 v 3 Rangers. Maeda scored to put Celtic ahead in the League Cup final and scored the crucial penalty that won the cup in the shootout.
• 18/1/2025: Celtic 2 v 1 Kilmarnock. Maeda scored to help Celtic progress in the Scottish Cup and keep the club on course for a treble.
• 12/2/2025: Celtic 1 v 2 Bayern Munich. Although it was a defeat, Maeda’s goal kept the Champions League tie alive as the Hoops almost pulled off a famous win in the Allianz Arena one-week later.