CHEAPER BY THE DAIZEN
Celtic’s bargain basement striker from Japan looking a real snip and he’s homing in on the title with Celts needing just a a point at Tannadice to win it
DAIZEN MAEDA admits impressing in Europe is a next major objective for Celtic.
But the Japanese star is adamant the champions-elect won’t ever let continental ambitions divert focus from staying kings in Scotland.
He and his team are ready to step into the group stage of the Champions League with the Premiership crown in their mitts.
Maeda’s eighth goal since signing from Yokohama in a bargain deal in January set Celtic on their way to thumping Hearts and tightening a grip on the cherished title silverware.
Only a crazy mathematical turnaround can deny Ange Postecoglou’s men with two matches remaining and officially sealing the deal will book an automatic spot among the Euro elite.
Maeda and his team-mates would relish an opportunity to mix in such exalted company with Postecoglou already publicly stating that making a real mark abroad for the club was one of his biggest driving forces at Parkhead.
Maeda said: “There is no big difference between domestic games and Champions League to me.
“I like to enjoy every game I play the same way.
“Europe is one of our objectives, of course. But we have to get results in domestic leagues and in domestic cups to make that happen.
“We don’t pick one over the other. We want to get good results in absolutely every game we play.”
Maeda has been among the outstanding Postecoglou captures who have been pivotal to Celtic grabbing the crown back from Rangers.
His relentless running power and endless energy levels have set the tone for his team in a variety of matches and he’s added pieces of class to match.
Maeda’s devastating turn of pace and delivery let Jota score against Rangers eight days ago and place a first hand on the trophy.
His supporting run to finish after the Portuguese star repaid the favour against Hearts at the weekend made it nine fingers on the silverware. Frighteningly for Premiership defenders, Maeda has been on the go for 17 months having played a full J-league campaign at
Yokohama before moving to Scotland – and he believes he will get better with a period of rest over the summer.
Maeda said: “I have been playing since the beginning of last season in Japan.
“After this season is over I will have to take enough rest to be ready to go again next season.
“I want to be at my best next season but I will think about that after I have had a rest first.
“It’s nice to be with my countrymen of course but we have to concentrate on football over everything else.
“In terms of next season, we would like to play here as Japanese players together and keep getting stronger and better over a full season.”