Daizen Maeda has admitted he is still adapting to the demands of English football following his summer departure from Celtic.
The Japanese international swapped Glasgow for Ipswich Town after a hugely productive spell at Parkhead, where his pace, relentless pressing and movement made him one of Celtic’s most distinctive attacking players.
Those qualities are now being tested in a considerably different environment.
Speaking to Japanese media, Maeda admitted: “I’m playing at an intensity I’ve never experienced before. First of all, it’s important to get used to it.”
The forward also acknowledged that the attributes which proved so effective in Scotland have required adjustment.
“In Scotland my strengths were speed and high pressing, but the intensity is completely different,” he said.
Maeda’s departure removed a player who had been instrumental to Celtic’s pressing structure and attacking threat. Celtic’s title success of last year coincided with Daizen finding his shooting boots culminating in the late winner against Hearts.
The move to England was richly deserved for a player that gave Celtic so much. Hopefully he can kick on and make a real fist of it.
His early experiences in England underline the scale of that transition, although the 28-year-old remains enthusiastic about testing himself against leading opposition.
For Celtic, meanwhile, replacing the Japanese forward’s combination of goals, pace and defensive work remains a significant challenge.
