Celtic are marching towards Premiership glory following a 2-1 win in the Old Firm derby. The ruthless Hoops destroyed St. Johnstone 7-0 on Saturday afternoon and the form they are in makes them favourites to conquer a ‘domestic treble’. Ange Postecoglou has been spot on with his signings as the winter addition of Daizen Maeda introduced a new dimension high up the pitch.
The gaffer used his contacts in Japan to rope in Kyogo Furuhashi back in summer. The Japanese ‘number 9’ has been a revelation in Celtic attack and the success story of the former Vissel Kobe star encouraged the management to tie down Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi based on Postecoglou’s recommendation.
While Ideguchi is slowly settling down in new surroundings recovering from an early injury setback, Hatate and Maeda have been exquisite in their respective roles over the past three months. Maeda, in particular, is gaining attention for his immense work rate and passionate display donning the Celtic colours. Club legend Stiliyan Petrov echoed the same last weekend following the Bhoys’ incredible triumph against the Saints.
“He just did not stop running. He fully deserved it [man of the match] and he has a smile on his face. He does the work and he did not stop. We saw a couple of situations in the first and second half when the team lost the ball, he was the first to react.”
The Bulgarian midfield maestro mentioned to Celtic TV in a post-match interview.
How Good Maeda Has Been In Celtic Colours
The 24-year-old Japan international flourished as a ‘number 9’ at Yokohama F. Marinos and became J-League’s top scorer last year (jointly with Kawasaki Frontale’s Leandro Damiao) with 23 goals. He reunited with his former boss at Parkhead on loan for the remainder of the campaign (with an obligation to buy at the end of the season) and his exquisite run of form suggests that the Hoops have hit the jackpot once again.
Maeda, meanwhile, has mostly been deployed from the left-hand flank with Giorgos Giakoumakis spearheading the attack. Yet he has fired in 7 goals in 16 appearances across competitions. He is a pressing monster, relentless runner and workaholic who never gets tired. Also, his creative spark, scoring expertise and adaptability across the frontline make him a prized asset within months of his arrival.
Celtic have a massive game ahead at Hampden Park with Rangers determined to avenge their successive defeats. But the Japanese sensation must be relishing the opportunity of replicating his heroics in the Scottish Cup semifinal.
