Latest news with #Maeda
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Arne Engels in powerful Celtic response to direct question about the future of dazzling Daizen Maeda
The Hoops have kicked off contract extension talks with the speed merchant who is being tracked by Brentford Arne Engels is hoping Celtic can keep Daizen Maeda under lock and key until the transfer window slams shut. The Hoops have kicked off contract extension talks with the speed merchant who is being tracked by Brentford and several other clubs in England and across the continent. Maeda was at his blistering best in Saturday's 4-0 demolition job on EPL Newcastle United as Brendan Rodgers' men went up the pre-season gears. The Parkhead boss snapped up rapid hitman Shin Yamada at the weekend but is looking to add more firepower in the coming weeks. Engels admitted keeping hold of player-of-the-year Maeda would be huge. When asked if Celtic can lock him up until September 1, the Belgian said: Hopefully! He's an amazing player and also really good for us and in the dressing room too. "He's a lovely guy, so hopefully he will stay. We never know what is going on. 'He would be fantastic for us next year and like Saturday also. He's just an amazing person that is really helping us in every kind of aspect of the game.' Celts are chasing two new wide men and a striker for starters, while winger Marco Tilio is set for a loan more to Rapid Vienna - ahead of a £1.3m permanent switch next summer. Engels insisted the Hoops are already in strong shape – even before more recruits check in. He said: "We have a really good squad. And there will be always rumours about players coming in, going. It's up to us to keep this all inside and to work on the players that are here. You see that on Saturday also, that we have a lot of quality already. "We'll see what's going in and going out, we never know, but the squad that is now here is fantastic. All the boys are doing really well. "It's always nice to get a lot of quality players in and it's up to us then to show ourselves to the manager and to everybody else in the stadium and outside. "But it's always going to be competition everywhere where you go, so it's then just keeping doing the right things that you always do good. There will be always competition.' Engels enjoyed an impressive first season at Celtic despite arriving with a hefty £11m price tag. The Belgian cap was linked with a quick-fire move toSerie A Atalanta but the midfield powerhouse has shrugged off departure speculation and insisted his sights are set on a blockbuster second term. Engels said: "I'm trying to do my best here and to get ready for the new season. There will always be rumours and it's up to me to just show on the field what I'm up to. "I'm here at Celtic and I really want to do great for this club and to reach a lot of things, so I'm not really thinking about something else.' Celtic will head to Italy in the ext 48 hours to compete in the Como Cup, where they'll square up with Ajax on Thursday and then the winner of Como's clash with Al-Ahili at the weekend. Club chiefs will be working in the background at brining in new faces and while the manager has been pleased with the progress, he insisted the Hoops are just getting warmed up. Rodgers said: 'It's been building for us, but there is more to come. There's more to come in as well. But you can see the progression with this group at the moment. Preparation will be about continuing our fitness levels and tactical ideas. We want to get some more players to come in and support the guys here so we will be ready for a long, and hopefully exciting, season.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Easy-to-Swallow Chocolate Conceived Out of Japanese Mother's Love for Son
KYOTO — A Tokyo chocolate shop owner spent two years working with a Kyoto confectionery company to come up with an easy-to-eat chocolate for people who have difficulty Maeda, 47, used to be a businesswoman active in Japan and abroad. The chocolate is her brainchild, born of a desire for her eldest son, who has dysphagia, to eat delicious chocolate. Chocolate is often considered to melt in the mouth and be easy to swallow. But Maeda said regular chocolate must be 'chewed a bit' in order to swallow it, and can stick in the throat when eaten by people with dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing. Maeda's chocolate, named Chocolat Doux, contains about 25% more moisture than regular chocolate, and thus more readily melts in the mouth and slides down the throat. It must be kept in the freezer and thawed before eating but maintains a rich cacao aroma and an authentic of Chocolat Doux began online in December, and it has been well-received among elderly people whose ability to swallow has weakened. Maeda, from Kyoto, graduated from Doshisha University in 2001 and moved to Southeast Asia to work in corporate sales for several Japanese firms. In 2009, she returned to Japan and worked for another company, where she was in charge of sales in North America. In 2015, she had a son who was diagnosed with dysphasia — a rare disease that affects one in 100,000 people. She quit her job to stay by his side and started her own business the following year. Maeda launched a chocolate planning and sales company. Production is outsourced to Confiserie Furansuya, a company founded by her grandfather in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. In 2017, Maeda launched the brand Chocolate de Familia with the philosophy of 'chocolate for families.' The gap between this philosophy and reality frustrated her. Her son, who cannot move his body as he pleases, cannot chew or swallow very well and can only consume food processed with a blender. Her challenge to 'make chocolate that is delicious and that my son can also eat' began in spring 2022. It was a challenge for the confectioners at Furansuya, too.'It never crossed our minds that there are people who can't melt chocolate in their mouths,' Shinsuke Nakahara, section manager of the company's manufacturing department, said. 'We had to completely rethink the manufacturing process.' Maeda sought advice from Kayo Shimizu, pastry chef who designs meals that are easy to eat for people with swallowing difficulties. Maeda asked Shimizu to create a recipe and then handed it over to Furansuya's manufacturing team. Chocolate with a high moisture content is too soft to hold its shape, a challenge the team overcome by cutting the chocolate bars in the freezer. They also conducted many trials to balance the texture and flavor. 'We were very happy when we finally got the OK,' Hisataka Kato, head of the department, said. 'My son enjoyed eating it,' Maeda said. 'I want people to know that anyone, with or without disabilities, can share the joy of eating the same food.' Chocolat Doux comes in packs of 20 pieces for ¥3,240 (tax included). Furansuya accepts reservations.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers gives update on Daizen Maeda contract talks after admitting star will be attracting interest
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRENDAN RODGERS insists Daizen Maeda is only focused on Celtic after responding to questions about the attacker's future. The electric Japanese frontman still has two years left on his current Celtic deal but interest in him is believed to be high following his sensational campaign last season. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Daizen Maeda was Celtic's star man last season Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Brendan Rodgers has given an update on the forward's future Credit: Kenny Ramsay Maeda, 27, scooped all of the Player of the Year awards after scoring 33 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions last term. SunSport understands the Scottish champions are looking to tie their star man down on an improved deal to fend off interest, with Premier League clubs and teams in Europe keeping tabs. But Celts boss Rodgers admits there hasn't been any progress made in negotiations between the club and the player's representatives. He's confident, though, that the ongoing situation won't impact the forward's season - just like how he won't allow his own contract limbo to affect the upcoming campaign. Asked if the club were any closer to reaching an agreement with the 27-year-old, Rodgers said: "Not that I'm aware of. "I don't think there have been any developments on that, but he's a professional and his focus is very much on here." Maeda grabbed an assist for team-mate Yang Hyun-Jun in the 4-0 rout over Premier League big guns Newcastle United at Parkhead. But he couldn't get his own name on the score-sheet this time. Maeda scored big goals in the Champions League last season, though, against Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge and Bayern Munich. And Rodgers previously confessed that he expects interest in the forward following his exploits on Europe's biggest stage. Celtic fans demand 'build him a statue' after Daizen Maeda trolls Rangers during four-in-a-row title party Speaking earlier this year, he said: "I would think Daizen would be getting interest. "If you're doing it at a Champions League level, you're showing you can do it on that stage. "If you're scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention. "Daizen is a great symbol for our team and the collective, he brings the highest level of intensity we want. "He is deserving of everything he's getting so far, and he's developing as a football player." Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic crush Newcastle as Kenny delivers, Inamura dazzles and towering Trusty shuts critics up
The Scottish champions turned up the style in the cross-border clash with a thumping win Celtic earned their stripes as they hit four to dump Newcastle United and lift the Adidas Trophy. Brendan Rodgers' side clipped the Magpies' wings as an Arne Engels penalty, Johnny Kenny's second strike in four days and second half goals from Hjunjun Yang and Liam Scvales did the damage. Returning hero Kieran Tierney even got in on the act on a brilliant afternoon as he climbed off the bench to provide a trademark assist for Scales' clincher. Newcastle started brightly but the Hoops almost went ahead on 20 minutes when Yang's cross caught Fabian Schar in all sorts of bother and Nick Pope had to turn his own defenders clearance round the post. However they did streak ahead on 28 minutes when Engels wrong-footed Pope from 12 yards after the Belgian was clipped by Joe Willock as he shaped to slot home Maeda's cutback. Kenny - preferred to Idah from the start - missed an absolute sitter when Yang's cutback only needed touching home but somehow the striker sclaffed wide. But he made amends when Pope presented a second goal on a plate just before half time. The keeper raced out his box to meet Schmeichel's punt down the park but misjudged the bounce leaving the onrushing striker a tap in. Newcastle made eight changes at the break. But Celtic made it 3-0 seven minutes in with Maeda grabbing another assist. Last year's player of the season raced onto McCowan's ball on the left, turned inside Emil Krath and slipped in Yang to tap home from eight yards. Scales put the icing on the cake when he rose to bullet home Tierney's cross past sub keeper Martin Dubravka with 15 minutes to go. Heres five talking points from Parkhead: First silverware of the season! Okay, friendlies mean nothing - until it's a Scottish side beating Premier League opposition. Trumped up pre-season fare or not this was a proper run-out for Celtic against a Newcastle side that might not have been at full strength but were in their face from the start. Celtic were forced onto the back foot for spells but looked comfortable defending against a Champions League side - and hitting on the break. The pace of Maeda was crucial in a game plan that will again likely be rolled out in Europe when the occasion demands. The sweeping move to win the penalty for the opener was a sign this Celtic side have shaken off the summer rustiness and are close to hitting top gear. And despite changing an entire team after the break, the Hoops ended the game comfortably in control. Forward thinking Shin Yamada got a pre-match introduction to the Parkhead faithful after completing his move from Kawasaki Frontale. But Brendan Rodgers knows he still has work to do to fill the goals void left by the departed Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn. Kenny was handed another chance to shine from the start after scoring in the midweek win over Sporting Lisbon and chased down the fortuitous second goal impressively. But his missed sitter moments earlier was symbolic of a young striker lacking that killer instinct. Kenny was full of running and has done his first team chances no harm over pre-season. He's far from the finished article but there is something here to build on. Still, Rodgers won't mind seeing two of his front three getting on the scoresheet before Adam Idah's second half introduction. KT's second coming Kieran Tierney started on the bench but the summer signing's 55th minute introduction - for his first Parkhead appearance since a 3-0 win over Aberdeen in April 2019 - brought one of the biggest roars of the day. And he followed up by producing a delicious cross for Scales to head home 20 minutes later. It's going to take something special to top the return of Tierney this summer. Yet his fellow new arrival Hayato Inamura had again impressed at the left of a back four as Celtic kept the high-flying Magpies at bay in a first half. Austin Trusty also shone at the centre of defence. With Cameron Carter-Vickers still sidelined, his fellow American stopper had to step up to the plate and his positioning was key to thwarting Newcastle's first half bursts. Newcy frown Eddie Howe couldn't get his backroom team together in time to take the Celtic job four years ago. But the Newcastle boss showed he's got quite a squad of players at his disposal at Newcastle. He rested Liverpool linked £63m hitman Alexander Isak and Brazil ace Joelinton yet still fielded a star-studded side that included skipper Bruno Guimaraes, Kieren Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Swiss ace Fabian Schar from the start - and strengthened it after the break by adding £55m summer signing Anthony Elanga for his debut, Anthony Gordon and Jamaal Lascelles. They showed flashes of quality but are clearly weeks behind Celtic in preparations. Brief encounter Parkhead wasn't at full tilt as punters voted with their feet over the ticket price for this glamour friendly. But the Toon Army weren't put off, gobbling up 10,000 tickets to turn the majority of the Lisbon Lions Stand into a sea of black and white. And the flocks of Magpies lived right up to their reputation as one of the EPL's loudest travelling supports with 90-minutes of energy and, no doubt, well oiled noise. It was a reminder of days gone by when visiting fans helped produce a crackling atmosphere.
The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic 4 Newcastle 0: Instant reaction to the burning issues
An Arne Engels penalty got the ball rolling before an almighty howler from Newcastle keeper Nick Pope allowed Johnny Kenny to latch onto a long punt from Kasper Schmeichel and tap home a second before the break. A raft of changes on both sides failed to change the flow of the game, and Yang Hyunjun rolled home a third after great work from Daizen Maeda, before Liam Scales put the icing on the cake as he headed home from a Kieran Tierney cross. Here are the talking points from Celtic Park… Celtic put on a show in feisty friendly The presence of around 10,000 Geordies in the away end gave this a feel of a more meaningful affair than it ultimately was, but it was Celtic who put on a show for their fans with a clinical display against the English Premier League giants. After putting Sporting to the sword during the week, this was another fillip for the Celts and their supporters, with Brendan Rodgers' side clicking into gear and making the expensively assembled Newcastle outfit look distinctly average at times. Yes, Howe's men are a little behind Celtic in their preseason preparations, and it was only a friendly, but it's always good to see a Scottish team putting one over our cousins to the south, and there was plenty here for the Celtic fans to be encouraged about. Maeda must be kept at all costs There has been a bit of noise around the Japanese winger this week, with EPL outfits Everton and Brentford credited with an interest in taking him south. And seeing what he was able to do here against one of their rivals, it is little wonder. His famously relentless work rate has never been in question, and he had Kieran Trippier and half-time substitute Emil Krafth run ragged, but it was the composure he added to his game last season that took him to another level. He showed that again here when Celtic scored their third, as he raced clear and then got his head up to put the ball on a plate for Yang to tap home. So key to this team has he become that Celtic will want to keep Maeda at all costs, but it is easy to see why clubs with even deeper pockets are beginning to circle. Auston Trusty looking strong as he bids to win over doubters It's fair to say that the big American has yet to fully convince the Celtic support that he is good enough to be a mainstay of their defence alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a smattering of impressive displays like his showing in the goalless draw with Atalanta last term overshadowed somewhat by a tendency to drop his concentration in lower key matches. He has been accused too of being a little soft at times, exemplified in a game at Dens Park last term where he drew heavy criticism, but he was right on his game here, putting in a man of the match performance and looking strong up against the physical presence of big Newcastle striker William Osula. The challenge now for the defender is to maintain this level of performance when it all kicks off for real, and maybe then he will be able to dispel any lingering doubts about his place at the heart of the backline. Tierney's triumphant return The loudest cheer of the day didn't accompany any of Celtic's goals, but was reserved for the return of prodigal son Tierney, who was brought on as a substitute by manager Rodgers before he made a further 10 changes so that he could enjoy the acclaim of his fellow Celtic supporters. Tierney spoke on Friday of how emotional his return to Celtic Park after six years away would be, and no doubt it would have been a special moment for the left back as he stepped back onto the pitch. But he also put on record how important it was for him to return home when he was still at the peak of his powers, and the 28-year-old certainly looked sharp, putting in a great cross for Scales to head home the final goal of the day. There was but a fleeting glimpse of the link up with Maeda down Celtic's left-hand side before the winger was taken off, but when those two are both fully fit and firing, it is a tantalising prospect. More signings to come? Perhaps in a bid to remind the supporters that business had in fact been done in this window, Celtic paraded new arrival Shin Yamada on the pitch before the game, with his hearty and remarkably Scottish-sounding 'Mon the Hoops' winning over his new supporters before he has even kicked a ball. On the team sheet though there was only one new arrival, with Yamada's compatriot Hayato Inamura starting at left back. Ten changes on the hour brought Benjamin Nygren onto the pitch too, but even though Rodgers could put on two entirely different XIs and Celtic still looked strong against such a high level opponent, both he and the supporters will still be hoping for a few new faces in the coming weeks.
