Alistair Johnston has praised Daizen Maeda as one of the most in-form players in Europe right now, admitting that Celtic will miss him in the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich.
Maeda, who has been in sensational form, has now scored 21 goals this season and hit the milestone of 50 goals for Celtic since arriving at the club three years ago. However, the Japanese star will be sidelined for the first leg against Bayern after receiving a red card against Young Boys, resulting in a two-match suspension. The first of those was served against Aston Villa, with the Bayern clash completing the ban.
Speaking ahead of the crucial European tie, Johnston didn’t hold back in his praise for Maeda: [Celtic TV]
” I’m not sure what his stats are but he’s got to be one of the most in-form players in all of Europe right now, and he can’t seem to miss right now.
“So yeah, again, when he’s scoring and creating, he adds just another dimension, but also everyone knows his work rate is unbelievable. He’s a nightmare as a fullback to go up against and I get the joy of having him running after me throughout the week most of the time.
“It’s a bummer for us, but at the same time, that’s why we brought in guys like Jota. You know, it’s to have that quality that between all of our wingers, that entire group. So that here is enough quality and depth that when something like that does happen, the suspension, that other guys can step up. So yeah, I think right now between Jota, Yang, and Nicolas Kuhn, like, we’re still really happy with where we are at in terms of our depth and our talent there.
“It’s a great opportunity for one of those guys to step up, and I’m expecting that someone will in the coming days.”
While Celtic will be without Maeda for the first leg at Parkhead, the good news is that he’ll be available for the return leg at the Allianz Arena in Munich—where his pace and pressing could be crucial against Bayern.
Jota will likely start on the left wing in place of the Japanese attacker.
Celtic’s wingers will need to rise to the occasion as the Hoops aim to secure a result at home and keep their Champions League dreams alive for Maeda’s German return.
Maeda is available!