DAIZEN MAEDA has been Celtic’s Golden Shot in the money-spinning Champions League adventure with three of the team’s ten strikes in their six outings.
The lightning-swift Japanese winger netted in the 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava during the opening-day display in Europe’s most prestigious tournament in Glasgow in September.
Maeda also claimed the team’s consolation goal in the defeat in Dortmund – the side’s only loss – the following month and he whipped in a crucial equaliser in the 1-1 home draw with Club Brugge in November.
Now the run-all-day flanker is gearing up to lead from the front again when Brendan Rodgers’ men take on Switzerland’s Young Boys under the lights tomorrow night in what is certain to be another super-charged encounter at a sell-out Parkhead.
HEADLINE ACT…Daizen Maeda sees his name in lights after another goal in Paradise.
The Hoops are within touching distance of a place in the play-offs which could lead to the lucrative knock-outs stages of the glittering competition.
Maeda, who collected an impressive 15 goals in the current crusade, said: “You will never be able to play in a better atmosphere than here in the Champions League.
“I still get goosebumps when we are at home in this competition. It is very special. It’s an honour to play in such an atmosphere and it’s up to us to make sure the fans are happy.
“These nights do feel different. You can feel the energy coming from the supporters.”
Maeda, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It is very nice to have that appreciation. Well, I’m just doing what I have been doing for my entire career.
HOOPY DAZE…Daizen Maeda celebrates on of his 15 goals this season.
“Right now, the goals and assists are coming for me, so I’ll try to keep doing what I have been doing. I feel over my career, I have managed to improve step by step and I will keep working hard to get better.
“There is no big secret to the goalscoring form. Things have been coming together for me and I am happy the goals have been coming.
“But I don’t really set myself targets. I just want to contribute to the team and help us win games.”
The energetic international forward swept in the winner in the Scottish Cup confrontation against Kilmarnock on Saturday, but was also self-critical over one that got away early in the match.
Maeda commented: “It was a tough game and I was able to score and help the team. That is what matters to me. I do set myself high standards.
“For example, looking at the chance in the first-half, I should have scored, but I didn’t.
“That made the game more difficult. We could have been four or five up at one point, but, thankfully, I managed to get the goal in the end.”
THREE OF THE BEST…Daizen Maeda with the matchball following his hat-trick in the 6-0 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen. The super-fast frontman hit the deciding penalty-kick in the trophy success over Rangers last month.
Maeda’s strike against Killie gave a unique place among the players this season – he is the only Celt to score in all four competitions, the Premiership, League Cup, Scottish Cup and, of course, Champions League.
The 27-year-old flyer is eager to set the pace tomorrow night against the Swiss who only came out of their month-long winter break on Saturday and should be far fresher than Celtic who are facing up to their seventh game in 20 days in their quest for continued success.
Maeda added: “It’s been quite tough for us with the amount of game we have had in the last few weeks.
“It has been a very busy schedule. However, it can be difficult to play a match at this level having played just one competitive match in a month.
“I think it will be difficult for both sides, for different reasons. But I know we will be ready to get the result we want.”