Daizen Maeda reacted to his PFA Scotland Player of the Year award in the humble manner supporters have come to expect throughout his time at the club. He also made sure to joke that his new Celtic chant — created by supporters and inspired by ‘Tequila’ by The Champs — was so good he wishes it had started sooner.
Maeda, who also picked up Top Goalscorer, Men’s Player of the Year, and Players’ Player of the Year at the Celtic POTY awards last night, enjoyed an evening he thoroughly deserved after the season he’s had at the Hoops.
It’s been a season where the Japanese forward became Celtic’s talisman, going from cult hero to undeniable star in the team.
🎩 A hat-trick of honours for Daizen Maeda!
🏆 Top Goalscorer
🏅 Players’ Player of the Year
🥇 Men’s Player of the YearA season of relentless energy and impact, and a clean sweep on awards night.
おめでとう, Daizen! 💚#CelticPOTY🥇 | #CelticFC🍀🏆 pic.twitter.com/UDpfLdHDui
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 4, 2025
As humble as they come, his determination to press and score remains unmatched in the country, with Maeda delighted at winning PFA Scotland Player of the Year.
He said: (Sky Sports), “Well, everything I’ve built up until this season has paid off in this season and I got all the results I wanted. So, yeah, it’s fair to say I’m having a very good season.
“I wish I could have made my song earlier. Honestly, I wish I could have made my song earlier.
“I’ve had a great season under Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.
“Well, fighting for the team where I am right now is something I’ve always wanted to do. So, yeah, I want to fight hard for the team.
“I’ll do my best for the team where I play for. That’s kind of like a motto for me to keep working hard. So, I’ll just continue doing what I’ve been doing.”
Maeda isn’t resting on his success. It’s clear from his reaction to the awards that he isn’t letting it get ahead of himself.
Instead, he’s going to keep pushing, and given the improvement supporters have seen from him this season, that’s a scary thought for the rest of Scotland — and even Europe.
Maeda has always pressed well and scored respectable numbers, but it’s the consistency of goals week in, week out that has made him the best player in Scotland. At times playing up top, he has thrived wherever he’s been asked to play.
He’s arguably just as dangerous centrally as he is out wide — something you can’t say about most attacking players, who are often more obsessed with sticking to one role.
