John Hartson credits Daizen Maeda for taking ‘responsibility’ following the January departure of fans favourite Kyogo Furuhashi…
Kyogo left Celtic for French Ligue 1 side Rennes last month after netting on 85 occasions in 165 appearances across his trophy-laden three and a half year spell in Glasgow’s east end.
Kyogo’s absence has hardly been noticeable
However, since leaving for pastures new, Furuhashi’s absence has hardly been noticeable courtesy of the new-found electrifying form of Daizen Maeda up front.
Known for his pressing and work rate which was acknowledged by Bayern Munich stars after the most recent Champions League knockout playoff tie with the German giants, the 27 year-old Japanese forward has taken his game to a new level and is in line for his best ever season in his professional career.
After his double against Aberdeen on Tuesday evening at Celtic Park, Maeda has notched up 25 goals and nine assists for the campaign and is currently leading the attack for Brendan Rodgers admirably.
Celtic support now seeing the best of Daizen Maeda
Speaking to Go Radio Football Show, former Celtic striker John Hartson reckons supporters are now seeing the best of Maeda because he is playing in his preferred position.
John Hartson said: “It’s easier now to say that. We weren’t quite away before we sold Kyogo. There were a few questions asked, but the simple fact is Maeda has been terrific in his absence since he’s been sold to Rennes.”
“Credit to Maeda, he plays centre-forward for his national team, Japan, we’ve seen him play there several times while Kyogo was at the club, but now he seems to have shown that through the middle is probably his best position. And he’s really stood up.”
“It looks like Maeda has stepped up”
“I was one of those thinking, ‘Do we really need to sell Kyogo for £10million?’. I thought he was a world class centre-forward, he scored goals at every level for Celtic; league, Champions League, cup finals, won us trophies, won us a lot of games. But now it looks like Maeda has stepped up.”
“What’s he got? 25 goals? He has been absolutely instrumental for Celtic while Kyogo is gone. I just think he’s took that little bit more responsibility being the out and out centre-forward now.”
“Everyone talks about his running power and his closing down, how hard he works as he chases full-backs, he goes all the way back to his own box and then he’s sprinting forward to help Celtic out when they counter.”
“He works hard, he’s got incredible energy levels”
“But I think, yes, we know he works hard, he’s got incredible energy levels. But the credit comes from his finishing and his goal prowess. The way he’s now banging in hat-tricks, he’s putting himself in positions to score goals, he’s making goals, he’s scoring goals, and that’s the difference for me.”
“All the talk about Maeda before was about his engine and how powerful he was, but you have to give him credit for his goal prowess.”
Conor Spence
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