DAIZEN Maeda has credited Ange Postecolou with giving Celtic a vital psychological edge over Europa League finalists Rangers in the cinch Premiership this season.
January signing Maeda scored a first-half equaliser in the 4-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday that effectively, if not officially, wrapped up the Scottish title for Postecoglou’s team.
They are six points clear of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, who beat Dundee United 2-0 at Ibrox yesterday, with two games to go, but have a vastly superior goal difference.
Callum McGregor and his fellow players will be crowned champions if they draw with or defeat United at Tannadice on Wednesday night.
Maeda, the Yokohama F Marinos loanee who confirmed he will join Celtic permanently this summer, feels that Greek-Australian coach Postecoglou has been the key factor in their league success.
“I know that last year Celtic couldn’t get the title,” he said. “This is why when I came here I wanted to give absolutely everything to get a result for the team. I am happy with the way the move has turned out.
“There is not a big difference between Celtic and Rangers, both teams play at a good level. But our manager brought a good attitude to us. He made us think the right way.
“To have a victory on Saturday was very important. We got the result we needed and I feel okay, I feel nice. We don’t have the league title yet, so I will only think about that when everything is settled.
“And next week, as always, we hope we will get to share the happiness we feel with our fans and supporters.”
Maeda, who is set to play for Japan in pre-Qatar 2022 friendlies against Paraguay and Brazil next month, came to Scotland after a full J League season.
The 24-year-old forward admitted that he is keen to get a break this summer so he can return to Celtic refreshed for of the 2021/22 campaign.
“I am happy here, of course,” he said. “It wasn’t only Saturday that the fans celebrated. Celtic fans are like that for us always and I am really happy to be here playing in that amazing atmosphere. It makes me happy.
“The weather has improved recently and it feels very comfortable to live here now, I like it.
“But I am looking forward to resting. I have been playing since the beginning of last season in Japan.
“After this season is over I will have to take enough rest to be ready to go again next season. I want to be at my best next season, but I will think about that after I have had a rest first.”
Maeda added: “It’s nice to be with my countrymen of course. But we have to concentrate on football over everything else.
“In terms of next season we would like to play here as Japanese players together and keep getting stronger and better over a full season.”
Maeda, who has netted eight goals in 22 appearances and become a popular figure with Celtic supporters, is excited at the propsect of playing in the Champions League group stages next season.
However, he stressed that his aim is to help the Glasgow giants win every time they take to the field regardless of who or where they are playing.
“I am just concentrating on each game as it comes now,” he said. “There is no big difference between domestic games and Champions League to me. I like to enjoy every game I play the same way.
“Europe is one of our objectives of course. But we have to get results in domestic leagues and in domestic cups to make that happen.
“We don’t pick one over the other. We want to get good results in absolutely every game we play.”
