Daizen Maeda controls the ball whilst under pressure from Ethan Ingram during the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: What you were saying about running the legs off Daizen Maeda. Our pundits were saying he never looks tired. Is he one of the fittest players you’ve ever managed in terms of his running ability, his athleticism?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, he’ll be fine for the games, don’t get me wrong. He’ll be absolutely fine, he had a little bit out before those games as well. Listen, if you go into the Premier League, they’ve got the capacity and physicality that you need for that league. There’s players there that have that, of course. But he does all the things that you don’t need talent for. He goes in to the highest level. All the running, the pressing and his will to run and run and run is absolutely incredible. I haven’t worked with too many like that.
Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the third goal with teammate Jota during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“There are ones that can do it in bursts, of course, and pressure. But for someone, the desire to want to run is absolutely at the highest level. So, we’re very lucky to have him here. He’s come in and Ange done brilliantly to bring him in. Put him in the team and he’s just continued to grow and develop. And now you see his composure when he’s in front of the goal, scoring goals, all types of goals. Yeah, just very, very pleased that he’s with us.”
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