It’s been a week for praise for the Celtic players this week hasn’t it?
Two impressive wins in the league keep the team sitting pretty on top of the league and with each win, we take one step closer to being crowned champions.
Many would say that the league is already over (except Chris Sutton who gets really upset at people that suggest it), but with players like Daizen Maeda in the team, it is easy to see why fans think the league is over.
The Japanese forward is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment. Returning from the World Cup looking like a different player, Maeda just buzzes and bombs up and down that left flank.
He is just a joy to watch and Leeann Crichton was raving about the 25-year-old.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Crichton said, “He’s relentless and he’s always in those problem areas for a defender.
“He never gives anything up. Even a moment that you might think you’re comfortable, you’ve got a moment to clear it as Livingston might have felt.
“So it would have been easy for Livingston to just turn the ball behind.
“But you know what you’re trying to do as a defender is clear your box, but Maeda is always alive. He’s always alert.”
When Paul Cooney said that Maeda is a ‘pest’ Crichton went on, “Yes, he’s constant. And that’s why he’s so good, though.
“That’s why he’s so good for the team.
“I remember, I think it was again it was at the Morton game, David Turnbull plays a pass and it’s completely overhit and the wrong side of him.
“And many other players would have just looked at it and it would have been out pitch.
“He sprinted as hard as he could to get out and keep the ball in and almost save David Turnbull’s blushes for the fact that it was a poor pass.
“He’s a really good teammate and is somebody that you want there all the time because if you’re lacking a bit of energy, or you’ve not got that half yard, he’ll cover it for you.
“You watch him and he works for every single player on the pitch.”
Maeda has been immense since the World Cup break and coming into a tough run of fixtures this month, there is no doubt the Japan international will be key to Celtic winning silverware this season.