Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Daizen Maeda following his impressive two-goals in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park this afternoon. Maeda’s goals were crucial in securing the win, and the Celtic manager was quick to highlight the Japanese forward’s continued importance to the Hoops.

Maeda’s Growing Consistency

When asked whether it was becoming the norm for Maeda to score regularly, Rodgers expressed confidence in his forward’s abilities, he said: (Sky Sports Scotland), “I think it is. If you look at his record over the course of the season, once he’s in there, we expect him to score.” Maeda’s consistency in front of goal has been a key asset for Celtic, and his performance today was another demonstration of his value to the team.

Rodgers went on to discuss Maeda’s versatility, noting his ability to play in a central position and contribute significantly with both his pressing and attacking runs. “He’s been a real pivotal player for us wherever he’s played. I’ve said many times that he can play in that central position. His penetration in behind, his set-up play in the main, was good. And he gives us a lot with our pressing,” Rodgers added.

Contract Talks in Progress

The discussion then turned to Maeda’s contract situation, with Rodgers confirming that negotiations were ongoing. “That’s something with the club,” Rodgers said. “I think the club will speak to his representatives and we’ll do everything we can. But my concentration is on the team and the football.”

Despite focusing on the team’s performance, Rodgers acknowledged how important Maeda is to Celtic’s success, saying, “Of course, he’s a top player. He’s still contracted well to the club. But he’s one of our best players, and we want to give him that value.”

A Bright Future for Maeda at Celtic

With Maeda continuing to deliver on the pitch and discussions about his future with the Hooops underway, it’s clear that Rodgers sees him as a central figure in Celtic’s plans moving forward. Maeda’s tireless work ethic and knack for scoring goals have earned him a special place in the hearts of the Celtic faithful, and it seems likely that his time at Celtic Park will continue to be marked by important contributions both on and off the ball.