Celtic expert issues ‘incredible’ claim after what he’s just seen from Daizen Maeda
Daizen Maeda will come back to Celtic as a much-improved player after the World Cup.
That’s according to former Hoops hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the striker’s performance at the World Cup so far.
Maeda, 25, started Japan’s first game at the Qatar World Cup as his side secured a historic 2-1 comeback win against Germany.
However, he was an unused substitute as Japan lost 1-0 to Costa Rica on Sunday (27 November).
McAvennie insists Maeda will benefit from playing against some of the World’s best players, a boost he wishes Kyogo Furuhashi and Rea Hatate had been given too.
“Maeda will be having the time of his life out there,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Being part of the side that beat Germany, what a feeling that must be. You just don’t get an experience like that anywhere else.
“Going to the World Cup must be the absolute peak. So he has that experience under his belt and I have no doubt Maeda will return to Celtic as a much better player.
“He was grafting so hard against Germany, we are all used to that. He just never stops. He caused them a lot of problems in that first half and he can be proud of how he contributed to that win.
“I just wish Kyogo and Hatate were over there as well. Japan must have some incredible midfielders if Hatate isn’t getting in.
“He’s still a young lad and he will have other World Cups, Japan as usually there or thereabouts in terms of qualifying, so maybe he will be at the next one.
“I just wish they could have that experience as well because when Maeda comes back, that can only benefit Celtic.”
In other news, an expert has claimed Ange Postecoglou is furious with Celtic players after what he’s seen.