It would be fair to say that since the arrival of our Japanese international’s in January of this year, Celtic fans have been privy to what’s exactly in store for them ahead of a full new season with Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda. Both performed admirably after their arrivals from the J-League and represented excellent business on the club’s behalf.
Hatate fitted in seamlessly in the midfield alongside Callum McGregor, scoring two goals in his inaugural Glasgow Derby and belting a howitzer past raging Hearts goalkeeper – and psuedo- Player of The Year – Craig Gordon. Maeda made as similar an impact as his compatriot; scoring on his debut match against Hibernian and accumulating 8 goals along the way. Not too shabby at all.
All of this is to be considered alongside the astounding fact that both players had recently just finished a full season in Asia before heading to Celtic Park in the winter window. Remarkable really. But Maeda has a weapon that has been readily apparent since the first time the Celtic fans clapped eyes on the forward: his unwavering speed and capability to press the opposition continually.
Never one to shy away from the dirty side and hard graft during a game, Daizen astonished us all in his first half-season under Ange Postecoglou’s reign with his continual closing down of the opposition defence and team in general. There were several occasions this year that he played a key role in deciding games based on this attribute – and in the grand scheme the destination of the cinch Premiership title of 2021-22.
Daizen has spoken of this very facet to his game, after just the other day Japan boss, Hajime Moriyasu claimed that his side were equipped with potent weapons as good as any world nation in Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi, which can also be read on The Celtic Star. Now he has echoed his international coach’s words when detailing his own game.
Record Sport have reported the press conference with Daizen ahead of Japan’s match-up with Ghana on 10 June in the Kirin Cup Semi-final. He said: “The goalkeeper is trying to steal a yard on in a situation where he doesn’t know which way I’m coming. So I’m rushing to go outside (of Alisson), and it’s a chance to hit my foot and finish as it is.
“I was imagining that it would hit that on my foot and get into the goal. I don’t have such a goal in Scotland yet, but I think it’s an opportunity. I wasn’t really involved with the ball so much (against Brazil). I didn’t get involved. I wanted to make an impression with speed to shut them out.”
Daizen was speaking of this after being asked about his near miss against Liverpool superstar Alisson on Monday versus Brazil. Japan narrowly faltered to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the South Americans, however Daizen only came on for the last 20 minutes or so in that match, with Kyogo Furuhashi having a rare off game and going in heavily on PSG heavyweight Neymar. That can also be seen right here on The Celtic Star.
Next season promises to be even better for Celtic and their Japanese quartet than the last. We will look to retain our new League crown and compete at European-level in the Champions League after years of exile. Daizen will be crucial to implementing our new found style of Angeball, with new signings set to be bedded in this summer too, the speedster will be a key figure for Postecoglou in the dressing room as he leads by example.
Daizen Maeda fires Celtic rivals warning as striker reveals goalkeeper trick from Japan duty he will use at Parkheadhttps://t.co/yqQs6UMpzO pic.twitter.com/veAV19pnLS
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) June 8, 2022
Paul Gillespie
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