Daizen Maeda’s Heart of a Lion is Unquestionable

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The Celtic Star

·9 March 2026

Daizen Maeda’s Heart of a Lion is Unquestionable

Daizen doesn’t have the heart for it any more? His Ibrox display more than disproves that nonsense theory…

Daizen Maeda celebrates as Benjamin chases. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Daizen Maeda has not been short of criticism this season, and probably with good reason as the Japanese hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders, caused in a massive way down to the club’s refusal to grant him his wish of a move away to German side Wolfsburg on deadline last summer. That was down to the failings of Michael Nicholson and whoever else was working on transfer business and failing badly.

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The heat well and truly turned up on the never say stop attacker in the aftermath of last week’s 2-1 win at Pittodrie, in which he was guilty of missing a gilt edge chance, which could have proved ever so damaging to our title chances in the end. The miss would have been funny if the three points were desperately required.

Daizen Maeda celebrates as Benjamin chases. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

In the end it didn’t however, but that didn’t stop the more over critical element of our support questioning Daizen’s commitment afterwards, with some even suggesting he shouldn’t be picked again. Short memories indeed.

That’s was a little overdramatic, as Daizen for all his faults, doesn’t lack heart or fight that’s for sure. He might be waining a little on the goalscoring front, but to accuse him of ‘downing tools’ is both unfair and without any merit whatsoever.

Daizen more than proved his heart is still very much in it, after starring in Sunday’s dramatic game at Ibrox. The Japanese international ran himself into the ground in Govan, being effective in both an attacking and defensive sense.

As a shadow Celtic side defied overwhelming odds to beat a seething Rangers at a seething Ibrox, the reality of this toxic fixture became evident at the Scottish Cup tie ended in blood and tears. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Daizen was also unlucky to see a first half effort ruled out, in which he swooped down bravely to head past Jack Butland, only for Liam Scales to be adjudged offside in the build up by Andrew Dallas making a guess. The decision could not have been factual from the angles he had and the official best placed to decision was the assistant referee – linesman in old money – who gave the goal. It ended up not mattering too much either way thanks to the absolutely sensational effort from the Celtic team.

That’s not a player who’s failing to give one hundred percent, that’s very much a player who still wants to contribute to the club. Daizen may well be in his final few months as a Celtic player, but he’s still giving his all, and still has a big part to play in our pursuit of turning this dire campaign into something of a unlikely but incredible success. It will be one of the sweetest of them all and after yesterday Daizen and his teammates will be right up for it after yesterday.

Daizen Maeda at Ibrox. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

Criticise his ability by all means, but don’t ever question his commitment. Imagine if Daizen decides to go out on a high and we start singing his song again on a regular basis. M’on Daizen son!

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Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order