From Tireless Winger to Relentless Striker: Daizen Maeda’s Rise and the Race to 40 Goals

When Daizen Maeda first arrived at Celtic in early 2022, fans immediately noticed his blinding pace, unmatched work rate, and seemingly limitless engine. He was the kind of player who never gave defenders a moment’s peace — a nightmare to play against and a gift to managers who demand intensity from their front line.

But even his most ardent supporters probably wouldn’t have predicted this: that by the business end of the 2024/25 season, Maeda would not only be Celtic’s top scorer but would be threatening to break into the club’s most elite goalscoring ranks. With 30 goals already to his name — many of them coming since his move to centre-forward in February — the Japanese international is now being seriously talked about as a contender to match Leigh Griffiths’ iconic 40-goal haul from the 2015/16 season.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his admiration for Maeda’s transformation. Speaking ahead of the team’s trip to face St Johnstone, Rodgers took time to reflect on what he described as a “remarkable season” for the 26-year-old.

“He’s on a fantastic run at the moment,” Rodgers said. “He’s scored in his last five games, and he’s picked up back-to-back Player of the Month awards. To be sat on 30 goals, having primarily played as a winger — that tells you everything you need to know about his mentality, his adaptability, and his hunger to improve.”

The Tactical Shift That Changed Everything

For most of the season, Maeda was operating on the left flank — a position where he’d become known for his high pressing, selfless running, and ability to stretch defences. His contributions were always appreciated, even if not always reflected on the scoresheet. But it wasn’t until February, with Celtic needing a new dimension in attack and options limited, that Rodgers made the decisive move to play Maeda centrally on a consistent basis.

That tactical switch proved to be a masterstroke.

“Before February, he had the odd game up there, but once we put him in as a striker properly, you could see the difference immediately,” Rodgers explained. “He’s everything I want to see in a number nine. His intensity, his pressing from the front, the sharpness of his movement — it’s all there. And on top of that, his finishing has improved massively.”

The numbers back up Rodgers’ praise. Since February alone, Maeda has scored more than a dozen goals, many of them crucial — the kind that decide tight games, keep title pushes alive, and rattle opponents. His confidence in front of goal has grown visibly with each passing week. The player who once rushed finishes or lacked composure now looks lethal in the box.

“Even Jota’s goal last week — the sharpness of his movement to win the header before it dropped to Jota — that comes from an instinctive understanding of where to be and when to make a run. You can’t coach that. He’s reading the game so well right now,” Rodgers added.

More Than Just a Goalscorer

But Maeda isn’t just a poacher. His role in Celtic’s current system is far more layered. He remains the first line of defence with his tireless pressing, forcing errors from opposition defenders and goalkeepers. His runs off the ball drag defenders out of position, creating space for teammates. And his ability to play with his back to goal has improved significantly, allowing Celtic to build attacks through him — something that wasn’t previously part of his game.

“He’s shown that he can link the play, occupy centre-halves, and still get in behind,” Rodgers said. “He’s added so many dimensions to his game. And that doesn’t just happen overnight — that’s down to his willingness to learn, to work, and to push himself.”

Rodgers also acknowledged that this wasn’t the original plan. With Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah both expected to lead the line this season, Maeda was viewed as a winger or backup option. But when Kyogo moved on and the January transfer window failed to deliver the striker Rodgers wanted, he turned to Maeda out of necessity — and Maeda responded in emphatic fashion.

“I didn’t want to rely on him up front,” Rodgers admitted. “In January, we were trying to strengthen that area. But once it became clear we might not get the right player in, I knew Daizen could do the job. He’s exceeded every expectation.”

Chasing Down a Celtic Icon

That brings us to the question now buzzing among the Celtic faithful: Can he do it? Can Daizen Maeda reach or surpass Leigh Griffiths’ 40-goal season?

Griffiths’ 40 in 2015/16 remains one of the great individual campaigns in modern Celtic history. It was a year where everything clicked for the Scottish striker, and his goals were central to Celtic’s success. It’s a number that few have threatened since — until now.

Maeda’s current tally of 30 puts him within touching distance. With several league games remaining, plus a potential cup final and — depending on Europe — other fixtures still to be played, it’s not unreasonable to suggest he could score another 10 goals. Especially in his current form.

And it’s not just the volume of goals, but the quality and importance of them that’s turning heads. Maeda is stepping up in big moments — opening goals, equalisers, late winners. He’s becoming the player Celtic look to when they need a spark, and that’s exactly what Griffiths was during his peak years.

Of course, much depends on form, fitness, and whether Celtic can continue creating chances for him. But if he stays fit and continues to play as the central striker, 40 goals is not only possible — it’s starting to feel likely.

The Long-Term Vision

Rodgers clearly sees Maeda’s future through the middle. And perhaps more intriguingly, he sees him as the model for what a modern Celtic striker should look like.

“I really believe he can play in that position long-term,” Rodgers said. “When you look at how football is evolving — the emphasis on pressing, movement, and mobility — he fits that perfectly. And now, with his added confidence in front of goal, he’s the complete package.”

It’s hard to argue. Daizen Maeda, once viewed as a tireless runner and little more, is now Celtic’s deadliest weapon. He’s on the brink of etching his name into club history alongside legends. And with every goal, every sprint, every roar of the crowd, he edges closer to that magical number.

One thing is certain — Celtic fans are witnessing something special. And the journey’s not over yet.

The question now is simple: How far can Daizen Maeda go?