Michael Stewart appeared on this week’s episode of the Scottish Football Social Club podcast and reckons that Daizen Maeda has taken his game to a new level…
It comes amidst a clamour for the Japanese star who has been consistently strong for the Hoops this year, both in terms of his overall game and crucially now in front of the goal.
Maeda’s performances of late have been nothing short of tremendous as he has been given Man of the Match awards left, right and centre, whilst being included in the Team of the Week every other matchday. Under Brendan Rodgers, he’s really blossomed and come into his own and looks every bit a European-level footballer for sure.
A massive boost to the club
It was a massive boost to the club and Brendan Rodgers when his UEFA ban was rescinded and ultimately reduced to just the Aston Villa game. With Bayern Munich now in town for a punch-up, it will be essential that Daizen performs to the high standard we have become accustomed to this season and Michael Stewart reckons that he has really stepped up a notch in quality this term.
“I was saying it in commentary at the weekend and during the week against Dundee as well” he said. “I think he’s stepped it up a level in terms of his quality. You know the finish during the week against Dundee where he chips the ‘keeper is absolute top-class. Top-class. And that technical quality has never been what you would regard as his strength. It’s been power, pace, energy, work-rate. And you know, occasionally he’s in good areas and he scores a good few goals.
‘He’s scoring some real quality goals now’
“But he’s scoring some real quality goals now. You look at his second one, when the ball was fizzed across from, I think it was Yang. And he’s going towards the goal at pace. They can easily go over the bar or past the post. Smashes it in the back of the net. No problem. No question about it. His first goal as well – guiding it into the corner with his left foot.”
‘I can’t remember the last time it happened’
He added: “Here’s the thing right. See with Maeda at the moment, I can’t remember the last time – and it used to happen two or three times a game and no disrespect to him because I think everybody recognises it – he would get in a great area and would go to cross it. And he would stick it in the stand. I can’t remember the last time it happened at all.”
“I think he’s stepped it up a level in terms of his quality… he’s scoring some real quality goals now.” 🗣️@mstewart_23 and Alan Hutton on Daizen Maeda’s performances for Celtic this season 🔥🇯🇵@McBookie pic.twitter.com/ZOD4gC7iq1
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 11, 2025
Paul Gillespie
READ THIS…“With the energy and the support, anything is possible in the game,” Brendan Rodgers
Aye, ye could be right there, Michael. Said the same masel!
Crazy that BR played DM full 90 mins v Raith feckin Rovers when this appeal had a chance.
In hindsight wouldae possibly been better with Jota on the left startin & DM thru the middle. Big Idah tae come on wi aerial threat later.
Possibly a pen. Idah daft tae be aff when Kühn scored. How Kane left alane? (poetry)
We’re gettin there tho! Add KT tae that LB 💚