Maeda wins Premiership player of month award

Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been named Scottish Premiership player of the month in recognition of his dazzling February form.

Maeda netted six times as runaway leaders Celtic racked up league wins over Motherwell (3-1), Dundee (6-0), Dundee United (3-0) and Aberdeen (5-1), while he had an equaliser controversially disallowed in the 2-1 defeat at Hibs.

The Japan international also added a Scottish Cup hat-trick against Raith Rovers and Champions League strike against Bayern Munich to take his overall February total to 10 goals.

“The team is doing well and because of that I can score the goals, so I’m really pleased for the team performances,” Maeda, 27, told Celtic TV.

“It looks like I’ve had my best month but I’m just continuing to do what I’m used to doing. I always try to work hard and try to do my best in each game so all the games were very important for me.”