By Alan Hutton

28th Sep, 2023 | 10:15am

Pundit drops 'massive' Daizen Maeda claim as Celtic footage emerges

Daizen Maeda is a “massive part” of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side and will be integral to them winning the league.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton said Maeda’s energy in games is the equivalent to having an extra player on the pitch.

As shown on Celtic’s YouTube channel (27 September), Maeda scored an incredible left-footed striker from the edge of the box to seal the Hoops’ 3-0 over Livingston on Saturday (23 September).

Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for the versatile winger and said that despite going down to ten men after Joe Hart’s red card, he never felt like they didn’t have 11 players on the pitch as a result of Maeda’s work rate.

The Japan international has made eight appearances for the Hoops so far this season with one goal and one assist in those outings.

When asked how important Maeda is to Rodgers’ side, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think he is a massive part of it.

“His engine is incredible he could genuinely fill the efforts of two players with his running alone and that is every single game.

“I think he is really important at this moment in time. You see his goal, it was a great finish and it shows he can come up with moments of brilliance. Yes he has had missed opportunities but the one thing that he will give you is 110 per cent.

“He does not shy away from that and these are the kinds of guys that you need if you want to go on and win a league.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares verdict on Celtic fan anger after £70m reveal.