Daizen Maeda

From the press interview from Martin


On Celtic's Japanese forward, who had 25 minutes off the bench against Falkirk after a hamstring complaint, the hint from O'Neill is that he will be involved from the start if it's at all possible.

“Daizen Maeda is a big player for us,” he said. “Especially at this minute considering some of the players that are out. He is absolutely the talisman, there is no question about it. He’s a big player for us and he’s been a really good player as I’ve watched the games from afar.”

 

Tried hard today, but totally ineffective - as he has been all season
Would rather see Forrest on the right

 

He has found his mojo again

 

How good was that today. Having him back and in that mood is frightening..

They can't live with him..

 

Actually thought he was much better on the right than on the left today. Did a power of work and it helped Ralston. Really is an enigma.

 

Ah.... that's the Daizen we know and love. Superb. At them all day. * nuisance. Brilliant.

 

This

 

He was fantastic.

Must be brutal to play against.

 

Great to see him giving his all again, not much in the way of effective technical contribution but back to his best in terms of energy and being a general important player.

 

Couldn't play more than 35 minutes on Wednesday, does over 100 today, looked great - even on the right
Nice fist pumps as he came off too, seems to still care

 

It’s great to have him back, he was everywhere.

 

Daizen playing with purpose again is a thing of beautiful. Now if he could just add some goals maybe he’ll get that move away to a decent side he’s been so desperate for.

 

Noticed him hauling the hun who got the red away from Ralston, he doesn't usually react to stuff so just shows how dangerous that tackle was

 

Well done today daizen

 

Funny thing is for me people say this often about both Hatate and Maeda, and I think for the two it’s not true. They have a bit of a nasty streak sometimes that can border on petulance, they aren’t very obvious with it but.

Maeda when he gets annoyed especially will leave the foot in or make sure to leave a wee niggle. Think he’s seen red for it a couple of times.


One of the things he done brilliantly today after his booking, I get nervy when he’s booked usually, he doesn’t change at all his approach to tackles, full blooded. He defended just as hard booked today but think he only had to resort to a tackle once after, he would outpace the player to run into the ball, or press them into a corner without putting the foot in. Would go shoulder to shoulder and defend spaces. Was really happy with him today because I think it was obvious he’s not fully recovered from injury after about 55 minutes in.

 

He also looks a lot happier all of a sudden...

 

A variety of things that could be for me, times passed from when he had thought he was definitely leaving, having packed his stuff up from Lennoxtown, there’s been a refreshing change at the club and the division that’s been in the stands is fully behind the interim gaffer and the team, with the anger pointed where it should be without them being caught in the crossfire, the football out there has trust in players to play with freedom and most importantly that has always been MON’s star quality as a manager. The feeling he fosters in his team both as individuals and as a team.


Everything around us since Monday and him returning feels so much lighter