---
title: "Celtic: World Cup could be “huge” for Daizen Maeda"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-spl-daizen-maeda-world-cup-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-12-09T20:45:14Z"
modified: "2022-12-09T20:45:14Z"
---

# Celtic: World Cup could be “huge” for Daizen Maeda

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/) attacker Daizen Maeda could explode into life at Parkhead after a productive 2022 [World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/) with Japan, according to Tam McManus.**

### The Lowdown: Maeda enjoys good World Cup

The 25-year-old played a key part in Japan’s tournament in Qatar, [starting two](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/377287/Show/Daizen-Maeda) of his country’s group stage matches and leading the line in the round of 16 too.

Maeda scored once in the competition, in a key encounter against Croatia that finished 1-1, prior to Japan crashing out on penalties.

The attacker will now be concentrating on a return to action for Celtic, hoping to improve on his tally of [just three goals](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/377287/Show/Daizen-Maeda) in 14 [Scottish Premiership](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) appearances this season.

### The Latest: Attacker backed to find new gear

Speaking to [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/mcmanus-daizen-maeda-could-now-explode-at-celtic-after-huge-development/), McManus backed Maeda to improve his club form after a positive time of things in Qatar:

> “Fair play to him, he has had a good World Cup and Japan had a good run. It’s great for Maeda, great for his confidence. Playing and scoring in the World Cup is the pinnacle. Maybe he will come back to Celtic a more confident and better player.
>
> “He has taken a bit of stick from Celtic supporters, he’s missed a lot of chances. He hasn’t really shown that composure in front of goal but maybe he will come back a different player.
>
> “You always want to see your players doing well at the World Cup and I think he did well with Japan. Goals like that can make a huge difference to your career if you capitalise on them.”

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-9/)

### The Verdict: Still a key man for Celtic

There is no denying that some of Maeda’s finishing for Celtic has been underwhelming of late but he remains a hugely important figure under Ange Postecoglou.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“415619″\]

His work-rate and general impact in attack are influential, even if he isn’t banging in the goals, and he is always someone who can be a match-winner for the Hoops.

Maeda showed on the biggest stage of all what he is capable of – he averaged [one tackle and interception apiece](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/377287/Show/Daizen-Maeda) per game at the World Cup, leading Japan’s press from the front – and now it is time for him to find another level in a Celtic shirt.