Daizen Maeda has faced a tough start to the season, with questions over his form mounting after a slow return in front of goal.

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Before his dramatic winner against Motherwell, the Japanese international had managed just two goals in 12 appearances – a far cry from the relentless, all-action forward who earned PFA Player of the Year honours last season with his 30+ goals in the Hoops.

Speculation around his future hasn’t helped. It emerged during the summer that Maeda had expressed a desire to leave Celtic, only for the move to be blocked. While the club kept hold of one of their most reliable contributors, it’s clear the episode had a lingering effect.

He had actually told the club back in February that he was keen to explore his options, so he did give the club plenty of warning.

Brendan Rodgers, however, was full of praise for his winger after Sunday’s late show at Celtic Park.

“He just deserves so much credit,” said Rodgers to the Herald. “This is a guy that I’d seen before I came in here. Then, for over two years now, he’s given his heart and soul to this club.

“Everything that happened in the summer is well-documented and that’s not easy. If it affects a player like him, then you know how deep it goes.

“But he’s still turned up every day. He’s playing in probably the third [favourite] position if you asked him [wide right], because we have a gap on that side. He’s just got on with it.

“You see the difference the minute he comes over to the left. His pressing, the intensity, everything changes for him. I just felt he’s the type that can nick you a goal. He gets in with a nice little move and he gets the goal.

“I’m so, so happy for him and his family because he’s given so much to this club and he will continue to do that.”

Rodgers’ comments offer a glimpse into just how much Maeda has been carrying in recent months — both mentally and physically. Played out of position, short on confidence, and perhaps unsettled after the blocked move, the winger still showed up and, when it mattered most, delivered.

It may not have been his sharpest 90 minutes, but the goal and the emotion that followed could yet be a turning point. Rodgers clearly trusts him, and the Celtic support will always get behind players who give everything. Maeda has done that. Now, with the pressure easing slightly, he might just be ready to kick-start his season.