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When Kris Boyd is talking sense about Celtic, then you know something is wrong.
But after the dust started to settle on Celtic winning the Premiership title ahead of Hearts on the last day of the season, the man who scored the crucial goal, Daizen Maeda, is rightfully getting plaudits for his actions.
From the perspective of Boyd, he feels that if Maeda leaves this summer, then he is ‘irreplaceable’ and that he has ‘never seen’ anyone like him before.
Chris Sutton also wanted to note the multiple positions Maeda can play for Celtic, and how he can also play them ‘incredibly well’, which would be another issue for Celtic to deal with if they sell him.
Sutton: “All the talk is about him leaving. How do you replace him? How much is it going to cost to replace him? You are not talking about a guy in one position. You are talking about a guy who can play multiple positions and play them incredibly well.”
Boyd: “You have played with some greats at the football club, who have moved on. But I have never seen anything like Maeda. He is pretty much irreplaceable for what he does. It’s incredible.”
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‘Never seen’ anyone like Daizen Maeda
Celtic have had many, many issues to deal with this season. But one of the biggest headaches for Brendan Rodgers, Wilfried Nancy, and then Martin O’Neill was finding that regular goalscorer.
Either players weren’t performing, not good enough or just not fit enough, as Maeda certainly fitted into one of those categories.
But then he turned it on during Celtic’s post-split fixtures, with Sutton telling the Warm-Up that the Japan star was ‘sensational.’
Even with his Rangers hat on, Boyd couldn’t help but purr over the devastation Maeda brought to the table, once he found his groove again.
Sutton: “He has been sensational. All the talk is about him leaving. How do you replace him? How much is it going to cost to replace him? You are not talking about a guy in one position. You are talking about a guy who can play multiple positions and play them incredibly well.”
Boyd: “You have played with some greats at the football club, who have moved on. But I have never seen anything like Maeda. He is pretty much irreplaceable for what he does. It’s incredible.
“You have seen some greats who have left the football club. Maybe not at the level. For example, if a goalscorer leaves, you can bring in another goalscorer.
“But you are not going to bring somebody in who does what Daizen Maeda does.”
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Is Maeda Premier League quality?
Last summer, Maeda was linked with a Premier League move, and he has since spoken about his desire to live his childhood dream and play in the so-called ‘best league in the world.’
But with suggestions that this could be Maeda’s final bow, Sutton and Boyd discussed the forward’s future, and whether he is worthy of playing in England’s top-flight.
Sutton certainly feels Maeda can produce the goods against the elite, as he noted his ‘out of possession’ quality.
Boyd: “Where would you say is a realistic move for Daizen Maeda? Could you see him going to the English Premier League and being a success? He has been linked with the Bundesliga before.”
Sutton: “I think it’s an interesting one. Could he play in the Premier League? Absolutely. Everybody knows what he is and what his characteristics are.
“In terms of out of possession. There is nobody better than him – his finishing ability at the end has been the key for Celtic.
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