Celtic idol: Daizen Maeda ‘will be a world-beater’ if he adds one more thing
Celtic winger Daizan Maeda ‘works his socks off’ for the team but still has work to do if he wants to take his game to the next level.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie believes that the 26-year-old Japan international can learn from fellow winger Nicolas Kuhn, 24, on how to pass the ball while running at pace.
With six goals in nine appearances across all competitions for the Glasgow club so far, Maeda is just four goals from matching his tally for the entirety of last season.
The left winger was able to give Celtic a small glimmer of hope against Borussia Dortmund, scoring in the 9th minute to cancel out Emre Can’s early penalty before ultimately losing 7-1.
Celtic star Daizan Maeda still has room to improve
Maeda is currently with the Japan national team as they prepare for two tricky World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Once the international break is over, Celtic and Maeda will turn their attention to a top-of-the-table clash against high-flying Aberdeen, who also have a 100 per cent Scottish Premier League record.
“Going back to the European game, no one could get a pass, it wasn’t just Kuhn”, McAvennie told Football Insider.
“People were having a go at him but it wasn’t just him, it was everyone.
“Khun and Maeda I think is a good combination, two different wingers but I tell you, if Maeda could learn how to pass the ball at that pace, he’d be a world-beater.
“Every club in the world would want him because he’s so enthusiastic, he’s so great for the team because he works his socks off.
“When he gets going, sometimes he passes it into Row Z but sometimes he puts in on a plate for people and he’s getting better all the time.
“They all look at him because he looks like he’s not out of breath, he’s chasing in the 86th minute, he chases people and he doesn’t even look out of breath.
“I can understand why Brendan likes him.”
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