'Physical beast' Maeda a driving force in Celtic success

A quick scan of Celtic forward Daizen Maeda's social media accounts tells you two things about him. He loves football. And he loves his family. That's it.

His endearingly short interviews in English, and even his native Japanese, give the impression he is a quiet, understated man.

Those who know the 27-year-old best might say differently, but to the outside world that's how it seems.

His compatriot, Kyogo Furuhashi, often took the headlines at Celtic before his January departure for Rennes, due his knack of scoring big goals - and lots of them.

A talisman left and it was barely noticed due to the scintillating form of Maeda, who has scored a career-best 33 goals this season - and counting - and is now on the four-man shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award.

Coaches have described Maeda as a "machine" and a "physical beast" for his seemingly unlimited stamina, but now he has stepped up in front of goal and become the standout player in Celtic's season.

"He's been absolutely brilliant wherever he's played, however he's played, he's had an amazing season," gushed manager Brendan Rodgers when recently discussing the possibility of a new contract.

"He earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more. He doesn't give away much, other than saying he's very happy."

After Celtic opened their Champions League campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, Rodgers heaped praise on Maeda.

Former Celtic and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart had used a clip of the 27-year-old thwarting a Slovan counter-attack on BBC Sport's Champions League highlights programme.

Maeda hounded Slovan's right-back and centre-back, winning possession.

Rodgers cited that moment and said he doubted "there's anyone better in world football" at setting the tone from the front.

There are numerous examples of the Celtic forward doing just that.

In the League Cup final, he ran down Rangers defender Leon Balogun, stole the ball and ran through to score.

In the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone, he sprinted forward and forced Daniels Balodis into giving the ball away on the edge of his own box.

Seconds later, Maeda was scoring Celtic's fourth goal.

Strangely, the moment that sums up his attitude and speed came near the end of a 6-0 drubbing of St Johnstone in September, when Celtic lost the ball in the final third and he sprinted the length of the pitch to win it back with the game long won.

At the time, Rodgers applauded it on the touchline as much as any goal.

His former coach at Yokohama F Marinos, John Hutchinson, knew exactly what was coming when Ange Postecoglou recruited him from his old club.

"I have never seen a more physical player, in terms of speed and repeat sprinting, than Daizen," he said in 2022, external.

"Daizen is a physical beast. You'd have no issues sending him anywhere in Europe because it won't be a problem to him. He's a machine."

Rodgers was equally complimentary after Maeda opened the scoring in the Scottish Cup quarter-final success against an in-form Hibs.

"Daizen is so honest," he said. "His anticipation and the ground he makes up... He's an amazing role model for young players with his work and his intensity.

"He frightens opponents and they can't relax against him. With confidence has come calmness when it comes to finishing. He's not a traditional target man, but he's a goalscorer."

Celtic captain Callum McGregor half-joked that his fellow PFA nominee is "almost like playing with two players, he's that good".

"You are in good company in the Champions League - that's the elite level of physicality, speed, intensity of runs, and even the numbers there, he was almost double everyone else," his team-mate added.

"So, incredible athlete, and you see his quality as well - he's scored so many goals and he's calm in front of goal. He presses and sets the tone for the team."

If that intensity without the ball has always been there, the finishing prowess has not been as consistent.

Although he had a 23-goal J-League season at Yokohama, his time at Celtic up to this campaign was more hit-and-miss.

He was a player capable of scoring but appeared rushed, especially in key moments.

However, this season his shot conversion rate and big chance conversion rate have shot up compared to last campaign as his composure has grown, with all 16 of his league goals coming inside the penalty box.

He has scored different types of goals and, crucially, grabbed four in the Champions League, including a brilliant curling effort to snatch a critical point against Club Brugge.

He also found the net at home to Bayern Munich in the knockout play-off and his scorching pace set up Nicolas Kuhn to give Celtic a shock lead in Bavaria.

"Not only is he working really hard and using his energy and pace but it looks as though any chance that comes to him he could put it in the back of the net," former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

Such was his improvement in front of goal that, when Kyogo left in January, Rodgers opted to use Maeda as a striker rather than Adam Idah, whose natural position is centre forward.

But even the Irishman realises the value his team-mate has brought this season, whether on the wingor up front.

"He's the first name on the teamsheet, I don't know where we'd be without him," Idah said after the Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Hibs.

Maeda's quiet, hard-working image, as well as his performances, only add to his appeal for Celtic fans.

After his kick out late on against Young Boys earned him a red card in Celtic's penultimate Champions League group match, Maeda apologised to fans.

"I'm really sorry for causing trouble to the team in such a wonderful atmosphere," he posted on X.

There were plenty of responses that were along the lines of: 'Do whatever you like, pal', which suggests how plenty feel about him and his performances.

Likewise, rare glimpses of him away from playing endear him to supporters and are making him a much-loved figure.

Whether it was having his young children as mascots, or recent cameo appearances in interviews alongside team-mates.

Even ditching his previous routine of shaving his head before matches to grow his hair - apparently to appease his daughter, who said she did not like him being bald - has added to the hero status.

But, above all, he has been a pivotal player in another dominant Celtic title win.