Michael Stewart has admitted he is in awe of Daizen Maeda this season for Celtic when it comes to his end product…
The Japanese international has really come to the fore since Kyogo Furuhashi departed for Rennes in the January transfer window and has taken his game to new heights in terms of the numbers he is able to hit, with him taking it to 30 for the campaign against Hearts last weekend.
Daizen’s scintillating form for Celtic
Many had bemoaned Daizen Maeda’s lack of composure during his first couple of seasons in Scottish football, citing his wonderful engine and ability to find space with his speed, yet unable to convert many opportunities this unique skillset had given him. That’s all a thing of the past though, as the former Yokohama F. Marinos man has been in scintillating form for the Hoops this year and is only getting better and better in a green and white shirt now that he’s playing in his preferred position as a striker.
The undeniable focal point of the team these days could hit a remarkable 40 goals for the season if he keeps going the way he’s going at present, and Stewart is enjoying every minute of it.
‘Daizen’s end product has gone to a different level this season’
Speaking to the Scottish Football Social Club podcast with Darrell Currie and Alan Hutton, the ex-Hibs man said: “Incredible. Incredible (Maeda’s goals return). You know, Alan mentioned it on a number of occasions as well. And I think that Brendan Rodgers has even alluded to it, is that his end product has gone to a different level this season.
“Whereas, previously playing out on the wide areas, occasionally you saw it quite often, he got into good areas and slashed at it. It would go into the stand or he would never hit the target where he was trying to pick out. That doesn’t happen very often now. And that goal – the first goal – is a perfect example of that. Running through on goal, great composure, opens his body up – you were expecting the net to bulge.
‘He’s a top, top class player now’
“It’s no surprise when he’s going that so regularly that he’s hit the 30-goal mark. I mean he’s a top, top class player now. And there’s a bit of that with Celtic looking to extend his contract now. He’s got another two-years left on it and you can understand why.”
Paul Gillespie
