Maeda says manager has given Celtic the edge
always, we hope we will get to share the happiness we feel with our fans.”
Maeda, who is set to play for Japan in pre-Qatar 2022 friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil next month, came to Scotland after a full J League season.
The 24-year-old forward admitted that he is keen to get a break this summer so he can return to Celtic refreshed for the 2021/22 campaign.
“I am happy here, of course,” he said. “It wasn’t only Saturday that the fans celebrated. 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.
“The weather has improved recently and it feels very comfortable to live here now, I like it.
“But I am looking forward to resting. 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.”
Maeda added: “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.”
Maeda, who has netted eight goals in 22 appearances and become a popular figure with Celtic supporters, is excited at the prospect of playing in the Champions League group stages next season.
However, he stressed that his aim is to help the Glasgow giants win every time they take to the field regardless of who or where they are playing.
“I am just concentrating on each game as it comes now,” he 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.”