Hajime Moriyasu has praised Celtic's Daizen Maeda for his performance in Japan's goalless draw with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The forward played 73 minutes in the stalemate as Moriyasu's side took another step closer towards next year's World Cup in North America.
Although Maeda didn't score or assist in the match, the Japan boss was pleased with his impact: "He was able to press from the front and attack vertically and quickly, and he created chances in today’s game," Moriyasu told Soccer King.
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"Fast vertical attacks will become a necessity, and chasing from the front is something we will have to work on as the level of our opponents increases.
"I think he did a good job today of creating a flow while showing his strengths."
Maeda has been capped 23 times by his country and scored at the 2022 World Cup as Japan reached the last 16.
The praise from Moriyasu comes with the 27-year-old reportedly 'set' to be offered a new contract by Celtic.
He has been in fine fettle for his club this campaign, scoring 28 goals across 42 appearances in all competitions.
An undoubtedly Player of the Year candidate, Maeda has thrived whether turning out on the left wing or through the middle.
"If you’re scoring goals like he has, working as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention," Brendan Rodgers recently said of the attacker.
"Daizen is a great symbol for our team and the collective, he brings the highest level of intensity we want.
"He is deserving of everything he’s getting so far, and he’s developing as a football player."
