ANGE IS MAEDA THE RIGHT STUFF
Daizen hails manager’s winning formula as Celts prepare to break out the title champagne
DAIZEN MAEDA insists manager Ange Postecoglou has transformed Celtic into relentless winners.
The Parkhead side moved to the brink of the Scottish Premiership title with a comfortable win over Hearts on Saturday.
Six points clear with two games to play, a single point against Dundee United on Wednesday would seal a tenth title in 11 years.
A J-League winner under Postecoglou at Yokohama F. Marinos, Maeda scored the equalising goal as a 4-1 thrashing of Hearts placed the matter beyond reasonable doubt.
And the Japanese international was quick to hand the credit for a remarkable turnaround to the manager’s training ground mantra of ‘we don’t stop’.
‘I know that last year Celtic couldn’t get the title,’ said the striker. ‘This is why when I came here I wanted to give absolutely everything to get a result for the team. I am happy with the way the move has turned out.
‘There is not a big difference between Celtic and Rangers, both teams play at a good level. But our manager brought a good attitude to us. He made us think the right way. And next week, as always, we hope we will get to share the happiness we feel with our fans and supporters.
‘We don’t have the league title yet, so I will only think about that when everything is settled.’
Joining Celtic on loan in January, the Parkhead club have the option to make the arrangement permanent and look certain to take it up after the forward’s eight goals in 22 appearances.
His tireless pressing game central to the way Postecoglou wants to play, Maeda is relishing the thought of a hard-earned rest after a season-and-ahalf of relentless football.
‘Yeah, I am happy here, of course. But I am looking forward to resting,’ he 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.’ One of a quartet of Japanese players brought to Glasgow by his former Yokohama boss, the 24-year-old has been helped by the presence of countrymen Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi. ‘It’s nice to be with my countrymen, of course,’ added Maeda. ‘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.’ Granted a standing ovation by Celtic fans after their rampant finish to the game against Hearts, Maeda savoured the post-match lap of honour. ‘It wasn’t only today. Celtic fans are like that for us always and I am really happy to be here playing in that amazing atmosphere. It makes me happy,’ said the Japanese striker. ‘The weather has improved recently and it feels very comfortable to live here now. I like it.’ The reward for winning this season’s title is automatic entry to the group stage of next season’s Champions League.
Postecoglou has already triggered a search for two new full-backs, a ball-playing central defender, wingers and a new striker. For his part, Maeda is happy to cross that bridge when it comes. He added: ‘I am just concentrating on each game as it comes now. 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.’