Brendan Rodgers is full of praise for Daizen Maeda, whose form since the turn of the year has been nothing short of spectacular. The Celtic striker has thrived upfront, taking on the responsibility of leading the attack following Kyogo’s departure to Rennes in January.

While some may attribute his incredible run of goals to a positional change, Rodgers is keen to highlight that Maeda’s exceptional form began well before the moving up top in February.

Rodgers said: (Celtic TV), “I’ve always believed he could play as a striker. Even before the positional change, he was scoring goals. Since February, his tally has been impressive—15 goals in 11 games, with the only match he didn’t score in being Bayern away.

“But it’s not just the goals. His pressing sparks our high-intensity game, and his movement is frightening. His timing, anticipation, and runs are as good as you’ll see.”

What stands out about Maeda’s this season is not just his ability to find the back of the net but also his consistency, which has been vital to Celtic’s fast-paced, high-intensity football. Rodgers, having coached some of the world’s top strikers, is quick to point out that Maeda’s movement is among the best he’s worked with.

“There’s no doubt about it. His reading of the game is superb—you can see it in his pressing and positioning. He’s playing at a really high level.

“The beauty is, he was known as a pressing machine, but now he’s showing his quality in central areas. He’s in a great place in his game and life.”

Rodgers also touched on the confidence and happiness Maeda has shown recently, something that was clear to see in his recent interview after Hearts, where he mentioned that he would score a hat-trick in the next game. The striker’s connection with the Celtic fans has only grown stronger, with a new song dedicated to him and the supporters’ unwavering backing.

“When asked ‘if Maeda was enjoying his football,’ Rodgers said: “Yes, you can see it. He appreciates the fans’ support—he’s got his new song, and he feels the love here.”

“This is a supportive environment, and he’s thriving in it.”

As Celtic fans look ahead to the potential of a domestic treble, one thing is certain: Daizen Maeda is in the form of his life, and with his relentless goalscoring form and clinical finishing, there’s every reason to believe he’ll play a huge part in the big moments still to come this season.