Rodgers delighted as ‘super professional’ Maeda cleared for Bayern tie.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is overjoyed to have Daizen Maeda ready for the UEFA Champions League play-off match against Bayern Munich. The “extraordinary” attacker, who recently scored a hat-trick in Celtic’s 5-0 Scottish Cup fifth-round victory over Raith Rovers, was originally scheduled to miss the first leg at Parkhead because he was serving the second game of a two-game suspension. However, the Japanese star is now able to play after Celtic successfully appealed his suspension. The ban was the result of a red card for a retaliatory incident late in a league-phase match against BSC Young Boys on January 22.
“It’s such a great bit of news that we got last night,” Rodgers told the crowd. “He’s an outstanding player. I think about how he’s performed for us this year, not just in terms of goals, but also in terms of his worth to the club in terms of pushing and honesty in the game. So having that mentality and talent available was a big, but pleasant, surprise.
“He is a good person, and as a man, he is really professional. He comes in every day, completes his work, and does all necessary to prepare himself to be a top professional. He trains as he plays, thus he is extremely focused and puts his all in his training. He then takes that personality onto the pitch. “So, he’s been an incredible pleasure to deal with. Just seeing him mature and evolve over the season. I believe his finishing ability, combined with his work rate and intensity, has made him a vital player for us. “I believe the player is maturing. He’s obviously improved as a player with experiences and with comfort in how we work and how we play.
“But I can go back, and I believe he scored goals before joining Celtic. Obviously, Ange [Postecoglou] comes him in after working with him in Japan, so he knows his qualities, he knows everything about his game, and, as I mentioned, he was a goalscorer there. He’s arrived here; it may have taken some time to adjust to the Scottish and British games. But as you can see, he’s right in the flow. He understands the physicality of the game in various regions of the world, as well as the physicality necessary at European football’s top level. “He’s well suited for it, and he’s now constantly getting into positions. I think what you have with him, his conversion rate is something that’s improved. I think he’s someone who has always had chances, he’s been there. But he now arrives with confidence to score and a better technique with his finishing. It’s top level.
“The coaches do an excellent job with him in terms of work, and I try to inspire and manage him, pointing out minor flaws in his game.” But he is a learner, and he has learnt quite well.”
Read more on sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply