Today, we witnessed Daizen Maeda’s finest hour in a Celtic shirt.
His quickfire double put Martin O’Neill’s men out of reach in what had been a tense Glasgow Derby at Parkhead.
The bad news is that we’re likely witnessing the end of his Celtic career. The good news is that he’s saving the best for last.
After the longest goalless run of his Hoops career, he has now scored six in his last four appearances. His status as a modern Celtic legend is cemented.
Is Daizen Maeda a Celtic legend?
Daizen Maeda: a modern Celtic great
His Celtic record now reads: 209 appearances, and 77 goals. He has won eight trophies, and could add two more before he departs.
Maeda came close to leaving Celtic last summer, reportedly even clearing his belongings from Lennoxtown ahead of a proposed move to Wolfsburg.
READ MORE: Daizen Maeda jokes Celtic bicycle kick was ‘lucky’ in Glasgow Derby reflection
Amid a chaotic end to the transfer window, he was forced to stay. It’s fair to say that his form was directly affected by the saga; he admitted as much to the Japanese media last September.
But like all Celtic greats, when the club now need him more than ever, he has stepped up.
It’s well-established that Maeda is a unique player. A poor touch, finish or cross is never too far away, making him a frustrating figure for some supporters.
But as his Hoops career has progressed, he has equally demonstrated that he is capable of the spectacular. Which other Celtic player is capable of that overhead kick?
Watching his goal catalogue, the quality is clear. He has mastered the art of “getting to the ball”. He can release his finishes quickly with both feet, and has the bravery to compete in the air. He is as strong as an ox, too — easily one of Celtic’s most robust players in physical duels.
Then, of course, there’s the running. It’s not an overstatement to describe this attribute as world class.
In fact, there may not be any other player in world football with the sprinting capacity of Maeda — Ange Postecoglou claimed that statistical analysis at Yokohama showed his ability to repeat a sprint to be the best in the world.
Across his four-and-a-half years in Glasgow — during which he has almost never been injured — he has been Celtic’s most improved player, too.
This culminated in him being trusted with the honour of captaining Japan in a friendly against Scotland in March. Compatriots such as Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate were often not even picked in Hajime Moriyasu’s squads whilst playing their best football at Celtic.
Is Maeda’s overhead kick the best you’ve seen scored in a Glasgow Derby? If not, what was? 👀
Comment your answers below 👇
Daizen Maeda: A big game player for Celtic
Another mark of a Parkhead icon is impact in the biggest games. Well before today, Maeda has proven his big-game credibility.
Goals in Glasgow Derbies at Hampden, Celtic Park and Ibrox. Goals in the Champions League. Goals in cup finals. Goals in the last minute of Scottish Premiership nail-biters.
Wherever he moves in the summer, he has truly earned it. No Celtic player has worked harder than him since he was brought to Glasgow by Postecoglou in January 2022.
If it is farewell this summer, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say: Arigato, Daizen…
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