Ange Postecoglou has hailed the role of Daizen Maeda in his Celtic side after the Japanese international starred against Hibs at Easter Road.

The Japanese international scored and assisted in the Premiership clash and his pace and sharpness caused Lee Johnson’s Hibernian problems all evening.

Maeda has become a fan favourite at Parkhead since arriving in Glasgow in January this year, but his impressive form has been no shock to his manager Postecoglou.

He explained: “I obviously coached Daizen in Japan so I knew what I was bringing. He is such a selfless, team player. He just does the stuff that doesn’t often get the recognition.

“The amount of work he puts in, the running, sometimes for little reward or recognition. He doesn’t complain, he’s a willing runner for his team. He scored a cracking goal tonight and set up the first one really well.

“He was a constant threat. I don’t underestimate that at all, that quality of being so selfless that you are prepared to give everything for the team every week irrespective of your own personal rewards whether they come or not.”

Postecoglou also hailed Maeda’s attitude to never give up, insisting he has made a positive impact on the Parkhead squad as a whole.

He added: “That is the kind of person he is. When he’s out there closing people down, sometimes we don’t win the ball, but it doesn’t deter him.

“It’s the same with chances, if he’s missed one it doesn’t deter him. He knows he has to be there, that’s his responsibility, to consistently be in those positions.

“I saw that in Japan when I first coached him, and I love that about him more than anything else, just that really strong mentality to continually do what’s right for the team irrespective of what has gone on beforehand.”

Celtic Way:

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