Daizen Maeda – “Genuinely incredible,” Pundits react to Celtic sensation | OneFootball

Daizen Maeda bagged another brace at the weekend in the Scottish Cup Semi-final, to help propel his club into another final at Hampden Park on 24 May against Aberdeen…

Daizen Maeda. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Japanese attacker has been in the form of his life this campaign and has really come into his own and flourished since his compatriot, Kyogo Furuhashi, left for pastures new in Brittany with Stade Rennais.

Daizen slotted seamlessly into the striker’s role vacated by Kyogo

Slotting in seamlessly to that number nine position, his prowess and awareness around the goal has been second to none and if he keeps on going, could smash the 40 goal barrier for this season at Celtic Park. It would be a remarkable achievement by the Japan international and would really go a long way to cementing his ever-growing legacy at Paradise for years to come.

Daizen Maeda. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Emma Dodds mentioned Daizen’s growing development under Brendan

The Premier Sports pundits were raving about him too post-match to Emma Dodds, citing his growth and development from when Ange Postecoglou brought him to these shores from Yokohama F. Marinos, back in the winter transfer window of 2022. It’s undeniable that he has found another level entirely since then and has turned many doubters into fully fledged believers in his abilities.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic inspects the pitch prior to the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Neil Lennon, Callum Davidson and Alan Hutton all had reserved praise for the Samurai Blue warrior and here’s what they had to say about him…

Alan Hutton:

Daizen Maeda celebrates. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“It’s genuinely incredible. And I think he’s raised the bar himself, in terms of his finishing. I think it’s improved. He’s always had pace. He always wans to run in behind. He always wants to work hard. But now adding the ability to have all different finishes is quite incredible. And the numbers tell you that. See the biggest thing for me you could say, Kyogo left and your thinking, ‘right it’s Idah’s time’, he’s up. And Maeda’s been that guy now. So there’s not actually been a worry that he’s (Kyogo) left. Maybe people were thinking there possibly could be. But he’s (Maeda) stepped in there and look his numbers. He’s been incredible.”

Neil Lennon:

Daizen Maeda celebrates. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“He’s been superb this season. But what I will say is he’s improved a lot. Not just his finishing. His movement has always been good. His pressing always good. But his feet have got better. And what I mean by that is his close control has got better. And his finishing has got better. You know, I used to think out of the three Japanese that came in with Kyogo and Hatate, that he would have been the third level. But now he’s more or less the first level. So he’s improved immensely over the past couple of years at this club, to being the main man. I think he’s had a fabulous season.”

Neil Lennon and Callum Davidson. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Callum Davidson:

Daizen Maeda celebrates. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I think he gives them (Celtic) another dimension when he plays through the middle. You see him coming off, he doesn’t just stop the ball, he actually moves the ball. So it’s very hard as a defender to come and press in that link. I think, as you say, he’s added another sort of dimension to his game.”

Paul Gillespie

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