Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Motherwell - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 14, 2022 Celtic's Daizen Maeda celebrates winning the Scottish Premiership with a young child REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
What a year it has been for Daizen Maeda.
Twelve months ago the Yokohama F Marinos striker was preparing for a second and possibly final attempt at European football with Celtic. A previous stint at Maritimo in Madeira hadn’t been too successful.
Last night in Qatar he was part of the Japan side that beat Spain to reach the last 16 of the World Cup at the expense of Germany who they beat in the group opener. For extra spice he will be facing club team-mate Josip Juranovic of Croatia.
Already this year Maeda has helped Celtic lift the SPFL title and played in the Champions League. As the video clip shows his daughter seems to be enjoying herself out in Qatar.
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??????????????? pic.twitter.com/Heaj7oiyN0— ?? ?? Daizen Maeda (@M_daizen_1020) December 2, 2022
There have of course been disappointments along the way, his finishing can be rash, chances that look good are missed but if anyone is guaranteed to give 100% for his team it is Maeda.
Celtic will have four players involved in the World Cup Round of 16 with one certain to be in the last eight, in just over a fortnight the hoops are away to Aberdeen but it is unlikely that anyone still at the World Cup will be available for Pittodrie.
The four teams with Celtic players all went through, with the four Celts starting in the final games. Celtic are a credit to world football, no doubt. Love the video!