Celtic winger Daizen Maeda rounded the year off in style on Wednesday evening as he put in another strong showing against Hibernian at Easter Road.
It has been quite the few months for the 25-year-old, having come off the back of several strong showings at the World Cup in Qatar.
Maeda helped Japan reach the last 16 of the prestigious tournament, scoring against Croatia in the knockout rounds as they came so close to advancing.
The former Yokohama F Marinos man had to quickly put that disappointment behind him with a return to club action earlier this month.
And the Japanese international appears to have come back to Parkhead rejuvenated after putting in two strong displays to round off 2022.
Almost one year on from his arrival at Parkhead in the January transfer window, there is no doubting that Maeda has had a positive impact on Ange Postecoglou’s squad.
However, during that time, he has received some criticism, particularly in the early stages of the 2022/23 campaign.
After the Bhoys’ frustrating showings in the UEFA Champions League, the majority of the attacking options received some flack for missed opportunities.
And that was no different from Maeda, who seemed to be at the brunt of the criticism after missing chances in games against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Of course, frustration is a natural reaction for football fans, and it was understandable after some solid displays in the Champions League.
However, although some of the criticism of Maeda and the attacking players was fair, there were also some more harsh critics, almost writing off the 2021 J-League top scorer.
His performances at the World Cup and since his return to club action have answered those harsh critics, though, with Maeda rounding 2022 off in style.
He might have had his moments, but he continues to play a big part in the Hoops’ push for more trophy success, scoring five and assisting a further four in 25 games this season.
In my opinion, Maeda’s last two performances against St Johnstone and Hibernian have been particularly impressive, as he continued to contribute to the Bhoys’ attacking frontline.
At Easter Road, he missed a few opportunities. But he also scored a fantastic strike from the edge of the penalty area, which Ange Postecoglou labelled a goal-of-the-season contender.
Not only was he helping on the goalscoring front, but also in creating goals in the last two fixtures. The winger may not have been rewarded the direct assists, but he more than played his part in the Hoops opening goals against Hibs and St Johnstone last Saturday.
Speaking in the aftermath of last night’s victory, the Celtic manager was quick to praise Maeda, saying [The Times]: “He does that every week.
“Sometimes people don’t see the work that he does for us and offers us, in terms of just his energy and his ability to cause the opposition problems. He’s been a bit unlucky on certain occasions with the end product.
“He probably should have scored there [his initial misses], but his contribution for the first goal, his willingness to run at the opposition and what a cracking goal. It will be close to goal of the season, that one.
“That’s just him. I’ve known him for a little while now, I had him in Japan [with Yokohama F Marinos], and he’s got such a strong mindset. It’s not just in his football, it’s in his effort. He’ll close people down and won’t get any rewards, but it won’t stop him closing people down.”
Maeda rounds 2022 off in style as he answers early-season critics.
Maeda’s Celtic career started with a goal against Hibernian last January, and he ended his first year with a brilliant strike against the same opposition.
Overall, Maeda’s last two performances have been the ideal way to round off 2022, having enjoyed success at the World Cup and with Celtic.
He has certainly answered his early season critics, and now he looks all set for a starting role in next week’s Glasgow derby against Rangers.
Here’s hoping that the winger can mark his anniversary of a year on from signing at Parkhead with a goal in next week’s game, continuing his strong performances after the World Cup.
In other news, Hibernian boss makes EPL comparison as he heaps praise onto ‘relentless’ Celtic.
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