‘MAEDA WORTH TWO PLAYERS’
BY BRENDAN RODGERS hailed Daizen Maeda for doing the job of two players after 10-man Celtic beat Livingston to stay top of the league.
The Hoops had keeper Joe Hart sent off after half an hour in West Lothian (below) but still secured an emphatic 3-0 victory.
Reo Hatate put them in front with a penalty before Matt O’riley’s fourth goal of the season made it 2-0. Maeda secured the points at the end with a terrific strike.
Rodgers believes Celtic coped with being a man down because Maeda puts in double the work of most players.
“When we were down to 10 men, he was playing up front and that’s his best position,” said Rodgers.
“He presses and runs in behind. He was there for Matty’s goal as well.
“I said to the guys, when you have Daizen Maeda, it is not like playing with 10 men. He does the running of two men, he is absolutely incredible.
“I was happy that he got his goal because he was so good on the day for us.
“It was a monumental win, in terms of getting back after playing with nine men during the week against Feyenoord.
“This is a notoriously hard place to come anyway, never mind with 10 men.”
Rodgers revealed that Hart apologised to teammates after being red-carded for clattering Livi midfielder Mo Sangare on the edge of his box.
But Rodgers said: “It’s the first sending off of Joe’s career. On a grass pitch, the ball would probably run through but it popped up.
“I’ve never had any problems with discipline in my teams. But we certainly don’t want to make a habit of playing with nine or 10.
“Joe apologised to his team-mates but – given how we played with 10 – we might have to get him sent off every week!”