Daizen Maeda nears astonishing Celtic feat as attacker on verge of joining exclusive 8 man Hoops list
Maeda has been unstoppable for the Hoops this season and is close to entering the Parkhead history books
Daizen Maeda hit the 30-goal mark for the season on Saturday as his double helped Celtic cruise to a 3-0 win over Hearts.
And the Japanese sensation could join an exclusive eight-man Hoops list if he continues his explosive form between now and the end of May.
Red-hot Maeda is the runaway favourite to be crowned Player of the Year after an astonishing campaign, topping the Premiership goal charts.
The 27-year-old also earned rave reviews for his displays in the Champions League, scoring four in nine games against Europe's elite.
And with potentially nine games left to play this term, Maeda could etch his name in the history books if he scores another 10 goals.
That's because only eight players in Celtic's history have scored 40 times or more across all competitions in a single season, as highlighted by Celtic State of Mind.
Jimmy McGrory, Joe McBride, Bobby Lennox, Kenny Dalglish, Charlie Nicholas, Brian McClair, Henrik Larsson and Leigh Griffiths are the only legendary figures who have achieved such an astonishing feat.
With seven league games and possibly two Scottish Cup ties still to be played for Treble-chasing Celts, there's every chance clinical Maeda will become the latest iconic name to join the VIP club.
The Parkhead Duracell Bunny won't be short of admirers this summer and Brendan Rodgers has already urged the club to tie down the fans' favourite on a bumper new contract.
Maeda - who joined the Hoops from Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 - still has two years to run on his current deal. But Rodgers wants to reward his biggest asset with a lucrative extension as the club brace themselves for transfer interest.
He said: "Absolutely, if there is that possibility to do that.
"There’s absolutely no doubt, he earns every penny and we feel as a club he deserves more, so we want to do that. But, of course it has to work both ways.
"I’ve spoken with Dermot and the club and spoken with the player and, hopefully in the future, that is something that can be done.
"He’s been absolutely brilliant for us this season. Wherever he’s played, however he’s played, he’s had an amazing season. So of course, you would love to tie up one of your best players."
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