Might Celtic face fight to keep free-scoring Maeda?

Twenty five goals. Nine assists. An immeasurable work ethic.

Celtic’s Daizen Maeda continues to sparkle in the most productive season of his career.

The Japan forward’s double in the 5-1 midweek rout of Aberdeen took him to the 25-goal mark and encapsulated his effectiveness.

Starting as the central striker, Maeda settled Celtic’s shaky start by reacting quickest to volley in the first-half opener.

Then, having shuttled out to the left wing after Adam Idah’s introduction on the hour, Maeda wrapped up the victory with an injury-time second from Alistair Johnston’s delivery.

Maeda had the most touches in the opposition box (6) of any player on the pitch, and his three shots on target brought two goals from an xG of 1.31, highlighting the quality of his finishing. In the Premiership this season he now has 11 goals from 25 outings and boasts a shot accuracy of 46%.

It’s the other side of his game – the tracking back and relentless pressing – that endears him to team-mates and supporters too and makes him a strong favourite to be Scottish football’s player of the year.

He contested a match-high 11 duels against the Dons, winning five, and contributed two interceptions.

Brendan Rodgers described Maeda after the game as the “symbol” of his Celtic team – and admitted his impressive form may well bring interest from bigger clubs.

“Yes, I would think he would,” said Rodgers. “I think if you’re scoring goals like he has, work as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

“But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities. He’s a great symbol for our team and the collective.”

Celtic have already lost one Japan talisman, with Kyogo Furuhhashi off to embark on a new adventure in Rennes. Might they face a fight to keep Maeda, who is under contract for a further two years, this summer?

Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner says Celtic are not the same team without “vital cog” Maeda at the heart of it.

“He’s having a fantastic season,” Bonner said on BBC Sportsound.

“He’s so important to the team. That trigger of his press ignites the team into doing it. Take him out the team and they lack that piece, because he’s so quick – he never stops. He’s closing you down all the time and that then runs through the team.”