The Magnificent Maeda – Daizen could match Leigh Griffiths with 40 goals

Celtic talisman Daizen Maeda continued his sizzling campaign by scoring a brace in last night’s 5-1 win over Aberdeen meaning he has now hit the 25 goal mark and he is on course to reach 40 this season…

Daizen Maeda opens the scoring — Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

And with 10 league games still remaining and a possible three in the Scottish Cup he will no doubt increase that already impressive tally and could even reach 40 goals, getting up to Leigh Griffiths numbers in the season before Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club first time around.

🟢 Daizen Maeda bagged a brace as Celtic cruised to victory over Aberdeen at home ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/rF1NlzooTk

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 25, 2025

Maeda’s magnificent work rate

We all know about Maeda’s magnificent work rate and link up play, but he’s added more goals to his game and is quickly becoming the complete forward. He can play on both wings and also through the middle.

The Japanese international has become a better player under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers and the Irishman deserves great credit in Daizen’s rapid development.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring his second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Kyogo’s reason for leaving

There was great concern amongst the supporters when Kyogo was allowed to leave for Rennes and no direct replacement signed. But such has Daizen’s form been we’ve barely missed his fellow countryman. Indeed Kyogo left to enhance his chances of playing for Japan at the next World Cup, believing from conversations with his new agent who also happens to represent the Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu.

Hajime Moriyasu will be watch Maeda

Fair enough but with Kyogo struggling for minutes and any sort of impact at Rennes and Maeda banging in the goals then Moriyasu might opt for the player who scored for him at the last World Cup, who has proven himself at Champions League level and is scoring for fun at Celtic.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring his second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Daizen is undoubtedly our most valuable asset at this moment in time. He’s in contention for and probably now favourite for Scottish and Celtic player of the year awards and could well finish the season as a treble winner and top scorer in the country.

Daizen could match Leigh Griffiths in reaching 40 goals in a season

25 goals is a great milestone, here’s to at least 15 more over the coming months.

Can Celtic play that catchy tune that the Bhoys Celtic use before everyone joins in and shouts ‘MAEDA’ every time Daizen scores? Just like Henrik got the Magnificent seven tune played?

Incidentally as we’re talking about The King of Kings , have you ordered your FREE COPY of Henrik’s book yet? You get it free when you sign up for the weekly lottery on Celtic Pools where you can win up to £25k. Nice!

Just an Ordinary Bhoy