There aren’t many more popular players at Celtic than Daizen Maeda.
From Maeda’s all-action style on the field of play to how he conducts himself off the pitch, it means a lot to the Celtic supporters that he represents their club.
A fair chunk of the Celtic players have returned to pre-season, and the first game will be played against Queen’s Park on Friday evening.
But Maeda is yet to return, and he is due back next week, but as he builds up towards entering Lennoxtown again, he is at one of his former sides, Mito Hollyhock, preparing.
- READ MORE: ‘I don’t know’ – Daizen Maeda admits uncertainty over future ahead of Celtic pre-season return
Celtic fans love Daizen Maeda’s actions as he trains with Mito Hollyhock
A large part of Maeda’s footballing journey has been in his homeland of Japan, including playing for J2 League side Mito Hollyhock.
In preparation for pre-season, Scotland’s PFA Player of the Year has been training with the former side and then taking part by ‘helping the players prepare the environment before the start of activities’.
The Celtic Park faithful just love this show of mindset by Maeda, and a number of them on social media put it down to his proud Japanese culture.
@therealist70921 hailed the culture of Japan: ‘Love the Japanese culture of respect and self-respect. 🙏🏽’.
@CoombeRonnie summed it up in emojis: ‘👏👏👏👏💚💚💚💚.’
@DavieAdams69 noted Maeda’s upbringing: ‘It’s an Asian thing. They are brought up properly with humility and respect.’
@shamrockbhoy7 joked what should happen if Celtic players drop points next season: ‘Tell the rest of the squad,” any time you drop points next season you’re cleaning Lennoxtown all week.”‘
@lisbion58 with a Rangers dig: ‘Maeda has something called respect, something Rangers fans do not have!’
@muzzy3818 with an old-school joke: ‘Hopefully he’s not playing sweeper this season.’
@TommyCummings67 used two words: ‘Love that !!!’
@CiaranGByrne with a comparison: ‘When you see ‘superstars’ chucking bottles, tape, gum and generally just being spoilt brats. Then you see these pros.’
Everyone loves Maeda, as @michellermreid added: ‘You just can’t not love Maeda!’
Maeda’s career path to Celtic
The 28-year-old has represented eight different teams during his youth and senior years, and he is now playing the best football of his career at Scotland’s most successful club.
Celtic know that they are blessed to have him, and many are hoping he stays on board for the new season because there is a lot of interest in him.
But if Maeda were to move, the supporters would understand because he has earned a big-money transfer to another European league.
- 2004 – Taishi JSC
- 2010 – Kawakami FC
- 2013 – Yamanashi Gakuin University High School
- 2016 – Matsumoto Yamaga
- 2017 – Mito HollyHock
- 2019 – Marítimo
- 2020 – Yokohama F. Marinos
- 2022 – Celtic
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