Opinion: 53-goal talent could give Celtic the edge in title race

It seems that Celtic are close to making the club’s first signing of the January transfer window.

Yahoo Japan has reported that the club are set to sign Yokohama F. Marinos forward Daizen Maeda, initially on loan but with an option to sign permanently at the end of the season.

If the player does indeed sign, it could well be showing that Celtic are looking to get deal done quickly in the January window, which can only be a good thing.

Looking at Maeda’s career in Japan, he seems to be a regular goal scorer, having netted 53 goals in 187 appearances.

It is at Yokohama that the player has taken his game to the next level, as in the J-League in 2021 he scored 23 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, which is a terrific return.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou joined the Hoops from Yokohama, so he will know the 24-year-old’s game very well. If he thinks that Maeda can do a job for Celtic, then his judgement should be backed.

Celtic fans will be hoping that Maeda can emulate the success of fellow Japanese forward Kyogo, who has been a massive success for the Hoops since joining from Vissel Kobe in the summer.

It makes sense though that the initial deal to sign Maeda is a loan one, as if the move doesn’t work out, both parties can end it at the end of the season.

However, should Maeda join Celtic and hit the ground running in the same way that Kyogo has, then he could be the player that gives the Hoops the edge in the title race.

The draws that have affected Celtic this season could be turned into wins if Maeda can replicate both Kyogo and the form that he has shown in Japan. Of course, there is no guarantee that will happen, which is why the loan move is a sensible one.

Still, it is good to see that Celtic are making moves to get players in early in the transfer window, and even better that it is a player that the manager that is familiar with.

The team could be getting built in the image of Ange Postecoglou, with more players that he has personally identified coming into the squad. It might take a while for this project to be completed, but the more power the manager has at the club the better it usually is for the club.

Hopefully Celtic can get the Maeda completed quickly, and the player can make his Hoops debut when the team returns to action later this month after the winter break.