‘The speed’: Kenny Miller wowed by Celtic star who stops Rangers’ key player from performing

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Kenny Miller has waxed lyrical about Daizen Maeda after he put on a masterclass during Celtic’s 3-0 win over Livingston on Saturday.

The 25-year-old showcased how to perform when you are down to ten men, with Joe Hart getting sent off for Celtic in the first half.

Ex-striker Kenny Miller highlighted ‘the speed’ in which Daizen Maeda presses and that’s why he plays against Rangers because he ‘stops’ their main threat, James Tavernier, from performing, as he told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard. 

That’s where Celtic are blessed because, not only with Daizen Maeda, but his fellow countryman, Kyogo Furuhashi, they work off the ball like you have an extra man.

That’s why the team, not only walked away from Livi with three points, but managed to add two more goals after Joe Hart was sent off, kept a clean sheet, and in truth, could have scored more. 

There isn’t any other player in the Premiership that can probably match Maeda for what he does off the ball, as Kenny Miller touched upon.

Daizen Maeda’s workrate

“The way that he plays,” said Miller. “Everyone has got their strengths. That’s one of his strengths, so he needs to bring that to Celtic’s team.

“He brings so much with his workrate and the speed in which he presses players. 

“Again, a lot of people say that’s why he always plays against Rangers because he can stop James Tavernier, who is a serious threat.

“With the way he plays, I would think he would be the highest, in terms of the high-intensity sprints because it’s consistent. It’s not just going forward, but going back as well.”

Daizen Maeda’s quality on the ball

It also shouldn’t be forgotten what the Japan star provides with the ball because he deserved his goal at the weekend.

The balance, change of movement and pin-point finishing to put the cherry on top of the cake was delightful to see.

With Maeda now off the mark for the season, you are hoping that he can hit double-figure goals in the league because he is more than capable of doing just that.