Daizen Maeda is having a phenomenal season at Celtic.
The Japanese winger/striker has scored 30 goals across all competitions, and Maeda could be on his way to reaching the magic 40 before the season is out.
After hitting another double in Celtic’s win over Hearts, Maeda has a minimum of nine games to reach the goalscoring milestone.
So what is the secret to the Celtic striker’s success? Hoops winger, Jota, reveals all.
Jota praises Celtic teammates for allowing Daizen Maeda to ‘shine’
Jota was once up against Maeda for that coveted leftwing spot in his first spell at Celtic and now he’s the provider for the Japan international, the Portuguese winger has shared the secret to his teammate’s success.
Jota told Celtic TV: “Every season is different and the team is made for us to be the best version of ourselves
“Obviously, if everyone is doing their own bit, then it’s going to allow other players to shine. And with Daizen I think that was the case.
“The team is putting him in very good positions to score and he’s doing a very good job on making it, and fighting really hard for the team, so credit to him.”
Daizen Maeda is more important to Celtic than Kyogo Furuhashi
Maeda was known more for his incredible work rate, pressing and defensive duties than his goal-scoring prowess for his first three years at Celtic.
But now that Kyogo has left, the 27-year-old has proven that he is probably more important to the Celtic team now than his fellow countryman.
Whilst no one will dispute Kyogo’s contribution to Celtic’s successes, Maeda provides so much more than just goals for Brendan Rodgers.
The Japan international inspires those around him to work harder, and even in that sole striker role, Maeda terrifies Celtic’s opposition now that he has found his scoring knack and that is priceless to the Hoops gaffer.
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