The unseen Celtic difference maker behind Daizen Maeda goal explosion as unsung hero namechecked

Maeda has been red hot and Rodgers thanked one man for his specific role in his firing form

Hopeful Brendan Rodgers is looking for a glossy finish this weekend after taking the paint off the dressing room walls in Perth last season.

Celtic produced one of their best displays of the term in their stunning six goal win at McDiarmid Park earlier in the campaign. But it was a different story the previous year when Rodgers had to produce a rare half-time hair dryer moment to get his side going on their way to a 3-1 victory.

Celtic have the Premiership title within their grasp with just three more wins required. And Rodgers wants a repeat of their last trip.

He said: “Hopefully. That would be nice. But yeah, that game previously we were waiting on the game and I don't like the team to wait and we were disappointed in that first half, second half we were outstanding.

“Obviously in the performance earlier in the season up there was so good, the level of our game, the goals, we had a goal disallowed as well, which I felt was a goal. But the focus on the team and the level of the football was at a high level.

“We're at the point of the season now where it's one game a week. We have to be really intense, we have to really go and show our authority in the game and that's what we aim to do.

“The finish line is in the distance for all teams, but for us we know where we want to be come the end of the season. So each game now, that's where our focus is on.”

Rodgers has won every jaunt to Perth in his two spells in charge of Celtic and the club has racked up 15 straight wins at McDiarmid Park – smashing in an incredible 48 goals. But the Hoops boss has seen an improvement in Saints since Simo Valakari took over.

Rodgers said: “Yeah, I look at how they play and I think they've been pretty unfortunate in terms of the numbers of the games that they've played.

“I like what the new manager is trying to do and how they're trying to play. They’ve obviously made some changes in January as well so the team will look a bit different.

“He wants them to play a technical game, tactically you can see how they move. I've enjoyed analysing them but somehow they've just not quite got the results.

“So as always we have to prepare for a tough game. The surface probably won't be ideal but we have to deal with that and look to bring our A game.”

Red hot Daizen Maeda notched in the 6-0 win back in September and will return with another player of the month award up his juke. Rodgers reckons the Japan star has emerged as the perfect striker – but he’s told back up hit man Adam Idah not to lose heart.

He said: “There's a wee bit of everything there really. I think that he works closely with Jack Lyons here, one of our young coaches who will focus individually on some of the details on that and what we see in him.

"He’s also very coachable and he's a great learner and that's what you want in your players.

“You can have players that are very good players but they're not very coachable. But his ability to learn is also what has helped him.

“So he gets pointed out items with all the coaches and we'll speak to him as a manager and Jack will do specific stuff with him as well. But all of that he's shown an ability to learn and so that's always a good sign.

“It's all the players recognising and acknowledging that here there are a load of games to play. But I think with Adam, he trains really well. He's very focused.

“He's had some really, really big moments for this club. I'm really happy he's here to be one of a number of strikers because he gives us something different. He's always looking to improve his game.

“His finishing is really, really good. But of course, Daizen going into the middle has meant that he's played that similar role to what he did with Kyogo.

“I recognise with all the players that if you're not playing, especially at this time of the season where it's one game a week, it can be a challenge.

“But their attitudes have been first class, they're all supportive of each other and the spirit is very strong.”