With the title already in the bag and Celtic cruising to a 3-1 win over Hibernian, most players would’ve been forgiven for easing off. Not Daizen Maeda.

A clip doing the rounds on social media shows the Japanese forward in a moment that perfectly encapsulates his relentless drive and selfless work ethic. With just ten minutes left to play in what was effectively a dead rubber, Maeda could be seen sprinting from deep inside his own half—at full pace—to track a Hibs counter-attack.

At the time, Celtic’s defenders were caught high up the pitch, and Hibernian were breaking quickly. It was a dangerous moment, with the back line exposed. But Maeda, recognising the threat, charged back like it was the first minute of a Champions League tie. He didn’t just chase shadows either—he caught up with the play, closed down the Hibs attacker, and cleanly won back possession.

It was met with a roar from the stands and now, days later, the footage is being shared widely online as fans marvel at the winger’s sheer commitment. There was no tactical necessity, no pressure from the bench—just instinct, attitude, and pride in the badge.

This wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s the sort of moment Celtic fans have come to expect from Maeda all season. Whether playing through knocks, pressing high in injury time, or sacrificing himself defensively, the forward has embodied the team’s relentless mentality under Brendan Rodgers.

It’s no surprise he was named Celtic’s Player of the Year. Moments like this one at Celtic Park on Saturday are the reason why. In a match that could’ve been a formality, Maeda doesn’t do dead rubbers.