Leeds United star Ao Tanaka reacts to Daizen Maeda’s milestone Celtic message
Leeds star Ao Tanaka has responded to Celtic’s star striker Daizen Maeda on social media after he achieved a milestone for the club.
The Japanese forward started against Hearts on Saturday (29 March), scoring twice as the Hoops breezed past their opponents.
Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic in the 17th minute, following a delightful through ball by Callum McGregor.
The striker then hit the post from a fantastically floated cross from Newcastle target Nicolas Kuhn in the 24th minute, but Jota was on-hand to slam home the rebound.
Maeda scored his 30th goal of the season and in doing so, guaranteed the win for Celtic in the 41st minute, following another assist from the Bhoys’ German winger.
Daizen Maeda celebrates 150th game for Celtic
Following the win that pushes Celtic another step closer to their fourth Premiership title in a row, Maeda posted a series of images to Instagram of himself in action, captioned: “150th game for Celtic” with two heart emojis.
The post was then liked by the striker’s Japanese international teammate, Tanaka.
Both players have enjoyed remarkable seasons and the pair were part of the Japan team that became the first to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the international break.
Celtic search for new striker despite Daizen Maeda’s form
Football Insider Verdict
Maeda may be scoring for fun this season, but as more of a wide forward Celtic are still pursuing a striker in the transfer market this summer.
The 27-year-old has been pushed inside in the second-half of the season to accommodate for the loss of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes in January.
Jota arrived back at Paradise following unsuccessful stints in Saudi Arabia and France, but is far more accomplished at left-wing.
| 2024/25 Premiership stats | Maeda |
| Appearances | 28 |
| Starts | 24 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Minutes | 2,074 |
Despite having only sold him in January, Celtic could pursue a deal to bring Furuhashi back to Celtic Park, as the Japanese striker has only featured five times for his new side.
Jota’s ability to immediately re-find his form with his old side may encourage the Hoop’s board to make the move, in the hopes Furuhashi can come back and start firing in the goals again.
Should he return, it will leave Brendan Rodgers with the interesting predicament of where to use Maeda, given his astonishing form in the number nine role since January.