Daizen Maeda urges everyone at Celtic to come together
Club legend Daizen Maeda urges everyone associated with Celtic to come together in this time of crisis…
Former Celtic favourite Daizen Maeda was back in Paradise for yesterday’s Glasgow Derby, as he bid a ‘proper’ farewell to the supporters who worshipped him these past four and a half years.
Daizen who made 212 appearances scoring 79 goals as well as winning 10 major honours while at the club, is guaranteed his place in Celtic folklore due to his contributions to our success. That was evident in the rapturous reception he received as he made his way pitch-side half an hour before kick off and then twenty minutes later when he came out the tunnel one last time to say his Celtic goodbyes.
The Japanese international bowed out on a high, with his goal a major contributor in our dramatic and unforgettable last day title win over Hearts last May, and he ended his Celtic career by scoring in a 3-1 win over Dunfermline in the Scottish cup final at Hampden to secure a domestic double.
Daizen who joined EPL side Ipswich in a £10 million deal wanted one last chance to see goodbye to the Celtic supporters such is his love for the club, and he did just that by expressing his gratitude for their support during his successful stay at the club.
Like every other Celtic supporter, Daizen was disheartened by the final result which seen the Hoops lose their third consecutive game, and second Derby in the space of seven days, but spoke afterwards about how vital it is that everyone sticks together during this bleak period.
Maeda took to Instagram to encourage unity, stating: “Thank you for giving me this opportunity today. I really appreciate it.
“Now is the time for everyone to come together and move forward as one.
“That’s what Celtic is all about. I’ll always be supporting you.”
Ironically we could have been doing with Daizen with his boots on yesterday, such was his influence on these fixtures, but it was good to see him once more and give him a final well deserved farewell and of course to hear his song played once again at Paradise.
