Brendan Rodgers says it’s a big surprise and boost to have extraordinary Daizen Maeda back for Bayern Munich.
And the Celtic boss insists his relentless Japanese star is ready to race at the German giants despite joking he’d run the legs off for him for three games. Maeda’s two-match suspension for kicking out at an opponent in the win over Young Boys was reduced by UEFA on Monday night meaning he’s free to face the Bundesliga big guns.
Celtic’s top scorer has played 90 minutes of all three domestic games since missing out against Aston Villa with a ban looming. However, Rodgers got the call to say his top-scorer is good to go and he said: “It’s such a great bit of news that we got. He’s an extraordinary player. I think how he’s been this year for us, not just in goals, but what his value gives to the team in terms of his pressing and his honesty to the game.
“So to have that mentality and that ability available was a big surprise for us, but a nice surprise. I ran the legs off him for three games! It was brilliant by the club, I’ve got to say, because he was always going to serve one game, but until you get the written report, which didn’t come through until Thursday/Friday last week, you can’t put in your appeal.
“But as soon as it did come in, obviously the club put in the appeal. Which, with the greatest respect to UEFA, we were thinking this probably wouldn’t bear fruit. And then, when I got the call to say he was able to play, I thought, goodness me, he’s played the three full games. He couldn’t run any more as a striker, as a winger. But thankfully he’s just a bundle of energy, so he’ll be okay.
“I was a wee bit surprised when it came through. But it wasn’t unsurprising because of getting two games. What was that word? Assault, aye. Assault was what was causing it. It wasn’t an assault, that was in the report. So I think on that basis alone, the club were great. They appealed and thankfully we won. He’ll be fine for the games, don’t get me wrong.”
Having Maeda’s energy and ability at his disposal is a massive boost for Rodgers as he added: “He’s super professional. He trains as he plays, so he’s been an absolute joy to work with and just seeing him develop and grow over the course of the season. I think his ability, his finishing, but add to that, like I say, the work rate and intensity. He’s a really, really pivotal player for us.
“He’s obviously improving as a player with experiences and obviously comfort in how we work and how we play. I think it’s just maturity. He understands the physicality of the game in these parts of the world and the physicality at the highest level in European football.
“He’s well suited to that and now he’s really getting consistently into positions. I think what you have with him, his conversion rate now is something that has improved.
“He’s probably always had chances and always been there. Now he arrives with confidence to score and now his technique and his finishing, he’s top level.
“The coaches do a brilliant job with him in terms of the work and I try to inspire him and manage him and point out little things within his game. But he himself is a learner and he’s learned very well.
“He does all the things that, in terms of what you don’t need talent for, he does them to the highest level. All the running, the pressing, his will to run and run and run is absolutely incredible. I haven’t worked with too many like that.
“For someone to have the desire to want to run is absolutely at the highest level. So, we’re very lucky to have him here. Ange’s done brilliant to bring him in and he just keeps continuing to grow and develop and now you see his composure. He’s scored goals, all types of goals and just very, very pleased that he’s with us. Just having him available was the most important thing.”