
Maeda in Celtic future message ahead of summer window
Maeda is now back home and was given a rest by Japan for their World Cup double-headers this month after they became the first team to qualify for next year's tournament as early as March.
He was the guest of honour at one of his former clubs - Mito HollyHock - at their game in the second tier of Japanese football against Nagasaki, along with international teammate Ryotaro Ito, who was also at the club and now plays in Belgium for Sint-Truiden.
Maeda was quizzed in front of the fans about his season at Celtic and made it perfectly clear, he will remain in Glasgow next season.
He said: "I was in great form this season, both personally and so were the team.
"So I'd like to keep it going next season.
"I am who I am because of my team, Celtic.
"I'd like to thank my teammates and, above all, my family for supporting me so far.
"I'd be happy if I could score more goals next season. I hope the number of goals will continue to increase.
"My career really took off here in Mito. When I first came to Mito, I thought, 'No one can run at all!
"My forte is sprinting multiple times during a match and running for 90 minutes straight. I came to Mito and learned about not wanting to lose games."
And he was praised by his former colleague Ito.
He said: "I used to think Daizen was bad at shooting, but I don't think we can say that anymore! He seems to win his club points on his own. His growth curve has been incredible.
"I thought he'd make the Japanese national team, but it's crazy to become Player of the Year in another league."But honestly, I am not surprised. I think Daizen has that much ability."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Arne Engels Celtic vow should worry rest of Premiership
They faced Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup and were being heavily backed to emerge victorious and make it another clean sweep of Scottish football's major honours. Brendan Rodgers' side also went close to knocking Bayern Munich out to reach the last 16 of the Champions League but lost to a heartbreaking extra-time goal. Record-breaking signing Engels insists the squad will be going all out to banish those bad memories. Read more: 'Yeah, 100 percent because we were all focused on getting that Treble and that was a really big disappointment, for myself and for the other boys also. 'When I went into the dressing room afterwards the mood wasn't really there and that's normal. 'You have to feel like that after such a big disappointment, but we also felt that way after the Bayern Munich game earlier in the season and in the games after that we were really good. 'So it's up to us to get that anger a little bit into our game. Then we will see how the season moves on and it's up to us to try and win all the games. That's why Celtic is such a big club, to try and win all the games. 'Even though we had a really good season, we did really good in the Champions League and into the league, that was a bit of a disappointing end to the season. 'Now there is the aim for us to go for next season, so maybe that's a good thing for us that we want to have the Treble and it's up to us to now show that in the early games. 'We first need to get into a really good physicality to show ourselves and then, hopefully, win the first games for a good start. 'We will get all the boys together now and, hopefully, move forward. That's always the aim. To go forward.'


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Forgotten former Celtic star ‘closing in on stunning £5m move to BRAZIL 12 months after quitting Hoops'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE swapped Scotland for England 12 months ago as he quit his boyhood club after 16 YEARS as a youth product then first team player. Now this former Celtic star could be on the move again as he's reportedly closing in on a stunning switch which would see him head across the globe. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 He left Celtic last summer Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Now he could be on the move again Credit: Getty It's not every day that someone leaves the West Midlands to start a new chapter of their career in BRAZIL. But ex-Celtic winger Mikey Johnston looks set to make that journey after emerging as a major target for a club based in Rio de Janeiro. Johnston, 26, is believed to be nearing a £5million exit from West Brom to join Brazilian top flight outfit Flamengo. The Republic of Ireland international has been added to the Brazilian giant's shirtlist, with manager Filipe Luis keen to bring the skillful wide-man to the club. Flamengo are one of the most supported clubs in the country with their iconic 73,000 seated Maracana Stadium, which hosted the 2014 World Cup final and opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics. They are one of the most successful clubs in the country too having lifted the league title as many as seven times and are currently top of the table this season as well. According to the Express and Star, Flamengo have made a formal approach for Johnston and are now set to reach an agreement with West Brom. It's stated that the English Championship club will receive around £5m from the transfer. That would see the Hawthorns club make a healthy profit on the player who they bought from Celtic for around £3m last year. Johnston spent seven years as a first team player at Parkhead before heading to West Brom permanently following a successful loan spell. Ex-Celtic star Mikey Johnston's dismissive verdict on former Rangers ace as he rates Premier League cult heroes Brazil might be unchartered territory for the player but he will be fairly familiar with the language should he complete the move. The primary language in Rio de Janeiro is Portuguese and Johnston spent the 2023/24 season in Portugal with Vitoria de Guimaraes Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page


Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Ex-Celtic star could be set for stunning move to Brazil
Reports indicate that Brazilian side Flamengo have made a formal approach for the 26-year-old, just a year after he joined the Baggies permanently. Johnston, who impressed during a loan spell at The Hawthorns, hasn't replicated his form this season, scoring three goals and assisting five. Despite this, the former Celtic man has caught the eye of the South Americans. According to the Express and Star, Flamengo are prepared to pay around £5 million for Johnston. Read more: West Brom are reportedly content with the deal, as it would represent a profit and help adhere to profit and sustainability rules. The move is described as "progressing well" and is understood to be a life-changing opportunity for the winger. Johnston netted seven goals during his initial half-season loan spell at West Brom.