With Daizen Maeda’s future still up in the air, one of his teammates has spoken openly about how important he is to the squad. Arne Engels, now a regular presence in the side himself, was full of praise for the Japanese winger after another strong season in the Hoops.
Maeda ended the year as Celtic’s top scorer and picked up several individual awards, catching the eye for his relentless style of play and the role he plays around the camp. With transfer talk picking up again, Engels was asked how he’d feel if Maeda was on the move.
The midfielder made it clear he wants him to stay. Speaking with a smile, Engels joked he’d even go to extreme lengths to stop Maeda leaving before the window closes. Behind the humour, his respect for Maeda’s all-round impact was obvious.
Under Brendan Rodgers, Maeda has been one of the most consistent players, bringing energy, pace, and commitment every time he’s on the pitch.
He said: (TCW), “Hopefully, he’s an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too.
“He’s a lovely guy, so hopefully he will stay. We never know what is going on. He would be fantastic for us next year and like today also.
“He’s just an amazing person that is really helping us in every kind of aspect of the game.”
Maeda’s work rate and attitude have been key parts of his time at Celtic since he joined from Yokohama F. Marinos. Whether he’s pressing high or chasing back to defend, he’s been a big part of how Brendan Rodgers wants his team to play.
Engels’ words show just how much Maeda is valued by those around him. His teammates clearly see more than just a good player. They see someone who lifts the whole group with the way he carries himself.
With teams across Europe keeping an eye on Celtic’s top performers, Rodgers and his staff could face a tough few weeks ahead. Holding on to important players like Maeda might be just as big as signing new faces.
Right now Maeda is still firmly part of Rodgers’ plans. But with the squad close and players like Engels keen to keep things together, what happens in the rest of the window could be crucial.
