Japan striker Daizen Maeda says he wants to “continue to do my best in Scotland” and admits he feels the love from the Celtic fans.
There had been speculation about the 28-year-old’s future with the Scottish champions after his form dipped at the start of last season after a big-money transfer reportedly failed to materialize on deadline day.
But he turned around late in the season, scoring in six games in a row, including a crucial second in the 3-1 win over Hearts that secured the title, and one in their Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline Athletic.
That helped secure his place in Japan’s squad for the World Cup final, where he started in a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands before coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia.
As Maeda prepares for Friday’s Group F final against Sweden, he was asked what he has learned from four and a half years of playing football in Scotland.
โIf you give your best, the fans will feel it and want to root for you,โ he said.
โSo I want to continue to do my best in Scotland.โ
Told that a female employee at the Scottish office said, โTell him I love him,โ Maeda replied, โGetting people to love and accept you not only in Japan but also in other countries like Scotland is not easy.
“That’s why I’m so glad your friend said that.”