On March 29, 2025, Daizen Maeda etched his name deeper into Celtic folklore, marking his 150th appearance for the club with a sensational brace in a commanding 3-0 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park. The Japanese forward, whose relentless energy and clinical finishing have made him a fan favorite, celebrated the milestone in style, taking his season tally to an impressive 30 goals across all competitions. For a player once known more for his tireless work rate than his goal-scoring prowess, this season has been a revelation, and his performance against Hearts was a testament to his evolution under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance.
The match itself was a showcase of Maeda’s predatory instincts. In the 17th minute, he latched onto a pinpoint through ball from captain Callum McGregor, racing past the Hearts defense before coolly slotting the ball beyond veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon. It was a goal that epitomized Maeda’s game: speed, anticipation, and composure. Seven minutes later, he nearly doubled his tally, striking the post with a header, only for teammate Jota to pounce on the rebound and make it 2-0. Undeterred, Maeda sealed his brace just before halftime, converting a low cross from Nicolas Kuhn to put the game beyond doubt. His 30th goal of the campaign arrived on a day that celebrated his enduring contribution to Celtic’s success, with the Hoops maintaining their 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Maeda’s journey to this point has been one of steady growth. Since joining Celtic on loan from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022—a move made permanent that summer—he has transformed from a dynamic winger into a lethal central striker. The departure of Kyogo Furuhashi露露直播直播直播直播 His pace and pressing have always been elite, but this season, Maeda has added a newfound calmness in front of goal, a quality Rodgers has praised. “With confidence has come calmness when it comes to finishing,” the Celtic manager noted after the Hearts win. “He’s not a traditional target man, but he’s a goalscorer.” That composure was on full display as he terrorized the Hearts defense, leaving opponents unable to relax for a moment.
The numbers speak for themselves: 150 appearances, 59 goals, and counting. Maeda’s milestone match also highlighted his importance to Rodgers’ squad. With three league titles already in the bag—and a fourth on the horizon—plus two League Cups and two Scottish Cups, his trophy cabinet is as impressive as his work ethic. Posts on X from fans and analysts alike buzzed with praise, with one supporter noting, “Maeda scores 2 goals on his 150th appearance for #CelticFC 
,” while another predicted a potential Player of the Year nod for 2024/25.
,” while another predicted a potential Player of the Year nod for 2024/25.Off the pitch, Maeda remains the understated figure fans adore. His social media reflects a simple love for football and family, and his short, earnest interviews—whether in English or Japanese—endear him further to the Celtic faithful. Yet, as his former Yokohama coach John Hutchinson once said, “Daizen is a physical beast… a machine,” and it’s this relentless drive that has made him indispensable.
With his contract running until 2027, there’s no rush, but Rodgers is already pushing for an extension. “He’s one of our best players, so we want to give him that value,” the manager said post-match. As Celtic chase more silverware, securing Maeda’s future feels like a priority. For now, though, the 27-year-old continues to let his boots do the talking, and on his 150th appearance, they roared.
