Daizen Maeda is proving to be a very important player for Celtic in the Champions League after scoring against Club Brugge at Parkhead.
The Japanese winger is more famed for his work rate, pace and incredible energy for Celtic than his finishing in Europe’s elite competition.
But after scoring his third goal of the campaign in Celtic’s Champions League draw with Club Brugge, Maeda is one of Brendan Rodgers’ main goal threats in the competition.
And after doing this for Celtic last night:
It was a goal that sent the Belgian media into a frenzy after Maeda rescued a crucial Champions League point for Celtic.
Belgian media says Daizen Maeda’s ‘classy flash’ for Celtic ‘kills’ Club Brugge
With the Bhoys huffing and puffing to break down a resilient Club Brugge side that Hoops fans were confident of beating, Maeda saved Cameron Carter-Vickers’ Celtic blushes and it earned him some class praise from the Belgian media.
Sporza: “Then Maeda did much better on the other side with an opportunity that was a lot more difficult. On the side of the box, the Japanese first cut out Seys and then curled into the far corner (1-1). Sour for the Belgian champion.”
7sur7: “A gem from Maeda. But then the game changed its soul, the Scots equalized thanks to a stroke of genius from Daizen Maeda and they dominated the proceedings, without scoring, until the final whistle.
Gazet van Antwerpen: “Classy flash kills Club. Just as we were starting to write Club’s victory in pencil at the back of this article, the 1-1 came out of nowhere.
Left front Daizen Maeda was just about the only one who could do something for Celtic throughout the match. Push the ball in front of him and run – he’s a former sprinter. On the hour mark, the Japanese dived into the back of Joaquin Seys, cut inside and curled in from a very tight angle via the far post. Great goal.”
RTL: “After a period of lull, the Celtic players got back on track by equalizing. Maeda eliminated Seys and opened his foot well to place the ball in the back of Mignolet’s goal with the help of the post.”
Three games Daizen Maeda’s scored Celtic’s most important goals of the season so far
Maeda has scored ten goals for Celtic in all competitions so far this season. So here, 67 Hail Hail takes a look at the three games (outwith last night’s draw) where the Japanese winger has scored important strikes for Rodgers this season.
1/9/24: Celtic 3 v 0 Rangers: Maeda opens the scoring in the 17th minute as Celtic stroll to another win over Rangers.
18/8/2024: Celtic 3 v 1 Hibs: Maeda scored an early 15-minute double to put Hibs to the sword in the League Cup second round.
2/11/2024: Celtic 6 v 0 Aberdeen. The Japanese winger was devastating in Celtic’s Hampden hammering of Aberdeen to book a place in the League Cup final.
As long as Maeda stays fit this season, the Japan international will remain one of Celtic’s most important players as Rodgers looks to not only dominate domestically but make progress in Europe.
