Daizen Maeda admits impressing in Europe is a next major objective for Celtic.
But the Japanese star is adamant the champions-elect won’t ever let continental ambitions divert focus from staying kings in Scotland.
He and his team are ready to step into the group stage of the Champions League with the Premiership crown in their mitts.
Maeda’s eighth goal since signing from Yokohama in January set Celtic on their way to thumping Hearts and tightening a grip on the cherished title silverware.
Only a crazy mathematical turnaround can deny Ange Postecoglou’s men with two matches remaining and officially sealing the deal will book an automatic spot among the Euro elite.
Maeda and his team-mates would relish an opportunity to mix in such exalted company with Postecoglou already publicly stating that making a real mark abroad for the club was one of his biggest driving forces at Parkhead.
His attacker confessed that while it would obviously be a goal to do well on the biggest foreign stages – a close eye must be kept firmly on domestic duties at the same time. Celtic are going to cherish this title over the summer. It’ll be a 10th in 11 years and staying top dogs at home will always remain a key target.
Maeda 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.”
Maeda has been among the outstanding Postecoglou captures who have been pivotal to Celtic grabbing the crown back from Rangers.
The manager wanted him as soon as he arrived but had to wait until the middle of the campaign to get the striker to Glasgow.
Maeda and fellow arrivals Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley were signed in January to offer depth and quality, to boost the ranks at a key time and they have delivered.
None of them wasted any time in producing and ensuring that Celtic kept an impetus to overhaul a six-point deficit upon their return from the winter break – and turn it into a six-point advantage with a goal difference which is, in any usual circumstances, unassailable.
Maeda set the ball rolling in the first game back against Hibs with a strike after just four minutes on his debut and he hasn’t looked back.
His relentless running power and endless energy levels have set the tone for his team in a variety of matches and he’s added pieces of class to match.
Maeda’s devastating turn of pace and delivery let Jota score against Rangers eight days ago and place a first hand on the trophy.
His supporting run to finish after the Portuguese star repaid the favour against Hearts at the weekend made it nine fingers on the silverware.
Frighteningly for Premiership defenders, Maeda has been on the go for 17 months having played a full J-League campaign at Yokohama before moving to Scotland – and he believes he will get better with a period of rest over the summer.
Maeda said: “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.
“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.”
Just like countrymen Kyogo Furuhasi and Hatate, Maeda appears to have settled easily into his new life under the wing of Postecoglou.
Originally, his deal on signing was a loan for the first months and that will turn permanent.
He said: “Yeah, I am happy here, of course. The weather has improved recently and it feels very comfortable to live here now, I like it.”
With much to look forward to, it just remains for Celtic to complete the formalities and to hold the trophy above their heads.
For the old guard such as Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic, it’ll be a familiar feeling.
However, it’ll be a maiden title triumph for many others in the squad and Maeda will be thrilled when it is officially done and dusted.
The dismissal of Hearts has made that as close to a sure thing as Maeda beating Postecoglou over a 100-yard sprint and he added: “To have a victory was very important.
“We got the result we needed and I feel okay, I feel nice. I am just concentrating on each game as it comes now.
“It wasn’t only this game. 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.
“I know that last year Celtic couldn’t get the title. 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.”
