If it’s not someone offering to drive Ange Postecoglou to his preferred destination – as long as it’s not Celtic Park – it’s some hack in the mainstream press engineering stories of transfer links for Celtic’s top players to the riches of the Nation State’s league over the border.
Yet while most of us take such stories with a pinch of salt, such links do have their positives, particuarly when our players outline just how happy they are at Celtic and how their career aspirations can be met where they play their football right now.
And that’s the case with Daizen Maeda, who has apparently been linked with a move to Southampton this summer. And although I must have missed that rumour when it first surfaced, I’m glad it did, because it encouraged someone in his homeland to ask Maeda about it, as quoted in Daily Record and the response it seems was very reassuring indeed.
“Right now, I’m not thinking about the future at all. I just won one of the domestic cups with Celtic, but I still have another cup and league title left to win this season. That is my only priority. Personally, I would like to achieve double-digit goals and assists. Until this season, I had almost no assists even though I scored a few goals.
“This season, my assists have increased and I would like to think that’s been linked to our results. If I want to be a part of the next World Cup in the USA, then there are still many things here at Celtic that I need to do.
Japan’s forward #25 Daizen Maeda celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Japan and Croatia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on December 5, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
“The enthusiasm of the local fans in Scotland reminds me of my days at Matsumoto Yamaga. But back then in 2016 when I was in the Japanese second division, I never ever thought I would see the day that I played and scored at a World Cup. It changed everything for me. In fact, after the Finals, when I returned home to Japan, people started noticing me all the time so I disguised myself a little! But inside, I’ve not changed at all.”
Japan’s forward #25 Daizen Maeda (C bottom) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Japan and Croatia. (Photo by FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images)
Maeda has impressed for club and country over the past year, with the 25-year-old scoring nine goals in 37 appearances for Celtic so far this season, while he also netted for Japan at the World Cup in Qatar. So, if the interest in the player extends beyond the usual wishful thinking of the Scottish Football press corps, it’s probably understandable, given the talent he has.
Yet, you get the impression with Daizen there is a lot more still to come from a player who appears to work as tirelessly on his development than he ever does on any given Saturday.
There is no denying Maeda still has some rough edges to his game, but his work ethic and commitment to Celtic has never been in question since the moment he made his debut and scored his first goal in the 4th minute, in a league fixture against Hibernian at Celtic Park.
Ange Postecoglou has already highlighted the one-on-one work Harry Kewell has done with Maeda since his joining Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff in the summer. And Maeda’s comments, regarding an improvement on his assist record, is perhaps an indication of the work Kewell is doing across the Celtic frontline. For instance, I don’t believe Liel Abada’s improvements have been without the influence of Kewell’s coaching either.
Yet Daizen Maeda’s name must be one of the first on the manager’s team sheet each week now, and although the manager and Harry Kewell will have played their part, none of that is possible without the focus and desire of the player himself.
And it also appears there are no thoughts right now on the part of Daizen Maeda to move away from Celtic with a view to developing himself still further. Instead, it seems Maeda is just as happy being at Celtic as we are having him here. And long may that continue.
Niall J
Pushing the launch of Matthew Marr’s debut Celtic book – ‘The BOULD BHOYS – Glory to their name’ back a week to Friday 24 March. Thanks to everyone who has ordered since we announced the book last night via an interview with the author. Please note that all pre-ordered books will be personally signed by Matthew Marr and you can order below if you’d like a signed copy posted out to you 24 March.
READ THIS...‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ by Matthew Marr
