BRENDAN Rodgers tonight admitted that he expects Daizen Maeda’s stunning form to be attracting interest from clubs across Europe after the Japanese winger scored a double in a 5-1 victory over Aberdeen.
Maeda, who was once again played at striker by Rodgers, opened the scoring in the William Hill Premiership match at Parkhead and then added a second in injury-time to round off an emphatic win.
Rodgers has been delighted with how the 27-year-old, who took his tally for his club in the 2024/25 campaign to 25 in all competitions with his brace, has performed for him domestically and in Europe in recent months.
However, the Northern Irishman, whose side moved 16 points clear of Rangers in the league, admitted that he expects the 22-times capped internationalist to be attracting admiring glances from across the continent because of his impressive displays.
“I would think he would,” he said. “I think a number of the players will because of their efficiency and their work. Not only that, they've done it at the highest level. If you're doing it at a Champions League level, you're showing that you can do it at that level and on that stage.
“So, yes, I think if you're scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention. But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities. I'm happy for the boys to be doing well.”
Rodgers added: “He's a great symbol for our team and the collective. What I asked of him in terms of the pressing, he's the highest level of that, just the intensity that he presses.
“Then I believe he can score in whatever position he plays along the front line. You've seen him score goals from the right side, from the left side, as a central striker. His first goal was wonderful anticipation to get onto it. “The second goal is what he's shown a lot this season. He's in the areas we want him to be in after a brilliant cross by Ali [Johnston]. As I said, he’s a great symbol of how we play, how we work, how we train. He is deserving of everything he's getting so far.
"He shows that every day in training. That's the beauty of it. The ambition is there for the team. We were 3-0 up, but we want to score more goals, we want to create more. He typified that.
“He was a fantastic player when I came in. We've just tried to make him more efficient. I think it's recognising that they have to score goals, the wingers. I've always said that with my teams. Wingers have to create and score goals.
"He's just developing like you would as a football player. Players get better and improve and gain confidence and from that, they get success. That's what he's had this season.”
