Daizen Maeda has reflected on reaching 200 appearances for Celtic, in an interview with a Japanese reported which has been posted on Celtic TV…
Amid the intense recent schedule for Celtic, Daizen Maeda reached the 200th appearance mark for the Hoops and his teammate Yang made it to 100 games for the club, in the crucial 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Wednesday night.
You can watch the interview, which is in Japanese with English subtitles below. Daizen’s answers are short and to the point and he talks fondly about the brilliant support he has had from the Celtic fans.
Daizen Maeda has scored 70 goals for Celtic with 36 assists, giving the 28 year-old forward a grand total of 106 goal contributions. With Celtic having 10, or maybe 11 matches remaining this season, depending on how the Scottish Cup semi-final goes against St Mirren, it very much looks like it’s a countdown to the Daizen’s inevitable departure.
Last year he had cleared his dressing room locker and said his goodbyes to his teammates only for Celtic to cancel his £10m transfer to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg due to the Board’s failings in the transfer market. To his credit Daizen simply got on with things and even expressed his willingness in January to remain until the end of the season.
With Japan heading to the World Cup this summer, Daizen’s pressing and all-action approach will be there for all the world to see and a big money move seems inevitable.
“To be honest, I never imagined that I would play this long overseas and make so many appearances for one club,” Daizen said. “So, I feel very proud of myself.”
Daizen admitted that he had no idea that he’d reached 200 appearances for the club, explains that he was celebrating Yang Hyun-jun’s 100th appearance when he was itoild he had reached 200. “I actually had no idea,” Daizen admitted. “Somebody told me, ‘You’re actually at 200.’ That’s when I found out for the first time.”
Asked for a favourite moment at home, away and in Europe he chose his debit goal at Celtic Park against Hibs, an away goal at Ibrox and a Champions League goal against Club Brugge at Paradise.
Daizen acknowledged the role of his family for their brilliant support during his time at Celtic. He said: “My family has supported me throughout this journey, and without their support, I don’t think I would have been able to perform well here, score goals, and play so many matches. I am really grateful for them.”
The Celtic forward also spoke about the magnitude of Celtic as a football club and acknowledges the attention and pressure that comes with it.
“Celtic is a much bigger club than many people imagine,” he pointed out.
“There is a lot of attention and pressure around the club, and it is very difficult to keep playing regularly, so you need to come with strong determination, not just for Celtic, but to compete in world football.
“I hope young players will take on that challenge with the right mindset.”
Watch Daizen Maeda’s interview below…
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