Journalist Kieran Devlin has been left impressed by the work rate of underrated Celtic star Daizen Maeda.
Celtic strolled to a very comfortable victory at the weekend which ensured their lead at the top of the table remained at least six points no matter what their rivals did in their match – and they truly did show they still mean business by thrashing St Johnstone 7-0 at home.
Should Celtic sign Maeda permanently?
Yes!
No!
This result means that Ange Postecoglou’s side are now on a 27-game unbeaten run in the league, which has seen them draw just four of those matches – which is pretty impressive considering how poor they were last season and the number of new players that have arrived, but it seems they have not taken any time at all to gel.
One of these new recruits is Maeda, who joined the club in January on loan and has been in almost every Celtic starting lineup since making his debut, however, Devlin believes that he is still very much underrated.
In sharing a piece for The Athletic on the £1.44m-rated Japanese forward, the journalist tweeted: ‘Maeda’s work-rate and pressing is great but think what he also offers Celtic in possession is wildly underrated. His attacking movement can be as creative and dangerous as a Rogic through-ball or Jota cross.’
TIF Thoughts on Maeda being underrated…
Maeda is already averaging a goal involvement every other game with five goals and one assist in 11 appearances, with one of them being a cameo appearance off the bench, which makes Devlin’s point about him being underrated even more interesting because it will be difficult to ignore or not acknowledged despite such a big involvement.
The Japan international has taken to life in Scotland seamlessly, which could be down to the fact Celtic are dominating Scottish football this season once again and that he has three other Japanese players within the squad he can communicate and grow into the side with, but besides Kyogo Furuhashi, Maeda is the one that’s seemingly made the biggest impact with his goals and assists.
In other news: ‘A Celtic Great’ – Devlin hails Parkhead ace the club owe a significant debt