Daizen Maeda aims for his best season yet at Celtic: “Hopefully I can get as many goals as I can.”

He also netted a spectacular goal in the match against Perth last week, only for it to be controversially ruled out by VAR. Daizen wasn’t going to let that happen as he got his name on the scoresheet in the second half.

The striker has netted 3 goals in the last 3 games and a total of six this season so it can be said that he is on track to record the highest number of goals in a season for the Hoops since joining the club, as well as making a case for his inclusion in the World Cup contingent for Japan. Rather, it is almost certain that he will be a part of the squad considering the fact.

He understands there’s a need for him to score to help the team Celtic and he is glad that he is now doing that more often than before. Informed by his spell at Yokohama F. Marinos, a season before the arrival of Ange Postecoglu at Celtic, in which Maeda netted 23 times in 40 matches, that would not be too much trouble for Brendan Rodgers this season.

“Back then [playing for Marinos], I was top scorer in that season… I feel the same now,” shared the 26-year-old striker, as quoted in Daily Record.

“Maybe I will be able to score enough goals. As the season goes, of course, there are stretch that one needs to go without scoring. That will come, no doubt. I just have to wait out those times and look for the ways to assist the team.

“I do not dwell so much on the figures with regard to the goals or assists. The primary focus is on helping the team win. However, if my figures improve, it would be brilliant. But the most important thing is the team.”

“I think if I continue this way, scoring, assisting more in every game, with regards to the figures, they will certainly be higher than what I have done in the previous seasons here.

“Figures have been low for me and I want to score as much as possible. If the team is playing well, then that is the most important thing for me.”

As for Daizen, he was posed a question whether his scoring attribute eases the pressure on the two key strikers for Celtic, Kyogo and Adam Idah. “I’m not sure whether my goals change the burden on the striking department. However, other players also think the way I do – and that is helping the course. I’m not really one of those players who provide leadership to the team, but I try to lead by example of how I play. That’s how I try to take accountability in the field.”

It also should be mentioned that when his volleyed goal was controversially disannulled by the VAR during the away match in McDiarmid Park, which clearly did not involve a St Johnstone player physically obstructing Auston Tusty, Maeda was vexed.

“Of course, at that moment I was a bit angry, but I managed to score after that, in fact,” the winger said. “Currently I have the feeling that I will score in every single match. I can’t really be bothered so much by the fact that they disallowed my goal because I scored one more after that.”

Celtic are in Dingwall this morning in preparation for the midday kick-off against Ross County and Maeda understands that the Highlands will pose an even stern test this time buoyed by Celtic’s midweek adventures in Germany.

“What is true is that there is a tiredness as we have had to travel quite a bit, but that cannot be given as an excuse,” Daizen stated. “Every matchday is important and we have to be able to deliver on Sunday, particularly because of what we did on Tuesday night. We are also aware that our fans travel a lot for these types of games.”

“Many of the supporters are coming for the match on Sunday as well. We have to give them joy and make them laugh. We have already begun training and getting ready for that match and we cannot bring the Tuesday result with us. The next game is always the priority for us.

“Whatever other thoughts people entertain, we need to concentrate on that next game. We have to, as we have this season, look to be on the front foot once more,” Maeda further added.

Post game at Dingwall, Daizen is set to travel with his Celtic mate Reo Hatate in joining Japan national team ahead of important matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Daizen is looking to help Japan to qualify for the next World Cup.

“If I think of my career, there are things like World Cups finals that people talk about with amazement,” said Celtic star. “It will depend on how I do at Celtic and if I feel I can play every game then it’s best for me to give 100% at Celtic first. After that, it is what I primarily think about. This Japan squad, can they make the World Cup? Yes!”

Oddly enough, Kyogo appears to be conspicuously missing in the picture where the Japan national team is concerned.