Daizen Maeda is an enigma, but he is our enigma

Daizen is an enigma, but he is our enigma and we’re lucky to have him…

: Daizen Maeda of Celtic shoots at goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Livingston FC at Celtic Park on December 23, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Daizen Maeda is something of an enigma. For a brief second he can look like the most talented player in the world, and then in an instant he can look so mediocre.

But the Japanese international is someone we are blessed to have in our side. He is a total workhorse and gives nothing but one hundred percent every game. He doesn’t give the opposition a minutes rest and he is so vital to the way we play.

Don’t forget that Daizen is regularly played out of position, under both Ange Postecoglou and now Brendan Rodgers. He is seen as a wide player when he is more of a natural centre forward, so we need to cut him some slack if he’s a bit frustrating at times.

Livingston v Celtic – Daizen Maeda scores the third Celtic goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston. Saturday September 23, 2023. Photo Jeff Holmes

The goal he scored against Dundee in the recent 7-1 thumping of the dark blues was absolutely sublime. The same could be said of the goal he scored against today’s opponents Livingston back in September.

Daizen has that in his locker and that along with his pace and commitment makes him a very important player, one that a lot of sides would welcome in their ranks. Yes he may be something of an enigma, but he’s our enigma and we are very lucky to have him at our club.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy