BRENDAN RODGERS is bracing himself for bids for Celtic’s rocket man Daizen Maeda.
The jet-heeled Japanese raider fired in a devastating double in the 5-1 triumph over Aberdeen at Parkhead last night to hoist his goal tally to an outstanding 25.
It’s sensational shooting from the 27-year-old international frontman who spends most of his time on the wing providing assists for team-mates.
HEADMASTER…Daizen Maeda nods past Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer in Celtic’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Parkhead this month.
This season, though, he has readily accepted the responsibility to adding goals to his repertoire and he has fired in two hat-tricks – in the 6-0 Premier Sports League Cup semi-final rout of the Dons and the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers – as well as adding four in the Champions League.
Rodgers has already seen Maeda’s countryman Kyogo Furuhashi leave the Hoops last month in a £10million switch to French outfit Rennes.
And the Irishman is aware the Bhoy Racer, who is under contract until June 2027, will now be on the radar of envious clubs who could make big-money moves in the summer.
Asked if Maeda’s impressive contribution to the team this season would be attracting interest elsewhere, Rodgers, speaking to MailOnline, replied: “I would think he would.
“I think a number of the players will, because of their efficiency and their work. And not only that, they’ve done it at the highest level.
SILVERWARE CELT…Daizen Maeda proudly holds aloft the League Cup after netting the deciding penalty-kick in the shoot-out with Rangers after the 3-3 stalemate at Hampden in December.
“If you’re doing it at a Champions League level, you’re showing you can do it on that stage.
“I think if you’re scoring goals like he has, work as hard as he does, then, of course, that will always bring attention.
“But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities.
“He’s a great symbol for our team and the collective.”
