Ange Postecoglou reckons that the energy that Daizen Maeda’s arrival has given Celtic the energy that was needed to drive ahead of theRangers overturning a six point deficit to go three points clear of the Ibrox new club in the Scottish Premiership title race.
“Daizen has a great energy about him. He has a huge appetite for work. He has this great reservoir of energy that he can call upon, whether it’s the first minute or last,” the Celtic manager told Celtic TV.
“I worked with Daizen before, so I knew what he could bring to a side. A lot of his work is stuff that maybe isn’t flashy, and maybe doesn’t get the headlines. But in a team concept, it’s very important. Especially with the way we want to play.
“It’s not just his pressing. He makes a lot of runs off the ball, and doesn’t always receive it. But he creates a lot of space and opportunities for players, particularly when we are playing teams who prefer to sit deep.
“Daizen is only taking his first steps at Celtic and he will improve, but he has brought great energy to the group.”
And the Celtic manager also pointed out that a pleasing feature of his squad is that the team is not over-reliant on one or two players for goals.
“The pleasing thing for me is we have had a good share of goalscorers. Players have made an impact at different times. Earlier in the year it was Kyogo and Turnbull.
“Liel Abada has scored a lot, as has Jota. Giakoumakis is doing it at present and Tommy Rogic has also chipped in. That’s been really important for us and it’s a big reason for our consistency, as we haven’t just relied on one or two players.
“Giakoumakis and Daizen have been getting in among it recently and that’s been great for them.”
And of course David Turnbull returned to the Celtic side last weekend, coming off the bench late in the game in the 4-0 win over Ross County at Celtic Park. Turnbull was last seem limping off the park at Hampden in the League Cup Final win over Hibs on 19 December and the hamstring pull, followed the next week by the same injury to Kyogo meant that neither player has been able to play a role this year as the title push got underway.
That is now about to change with Turnbull back and Kyogo approaching his own return. And the Celtic manager recognises the important role the Scotland midfielder played in the first half of the season.
“Dave was really important at the start of the season. He played a lot of football, and in the end, that’s probably where the injury got him. We didn’t have a big squad to call upon and he carried that load, but did it magnificently.
“Dave was scoring goals and creating goals, and the injury was a huge shame for him as he was in for a really big season. He has had to work hard in rehab, and it hasn’t been easy. But it’s great for us — and for him — to have Dave back.
“He has been a key contributor to our season, and there’s nothing worse than seeing a player who has offered so much being out. It’s great to have him back, and I am sure he will be key for us in the last part of the season.”
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