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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ross Pilcher

Daizen Maeda's Celtic contribution goes 'beyond goals' as Ange Postecoglou talks up Hoops duo

Ange Postecoglou has hailed Daizen Maeda's Celtic contribution and insists the Japanese brings much more than just goals.

Maeda nodded in the Hoops' opened against Livingston yesterday - his first goal in five matches.

Nicky Devlin's own goal and a James Forrest strike had the visitors three goals to the good before Andrew Shinnie pulled one back for the Lions.

After a first victory in West Lothian in 2007, Postecoglou talked up the impact Maeda has on the team whilst also singling out Nir Bitton for praise.

"I get that strikers are measured by goals, but what he [Maeda] brings to our team is well beyond that," he said.

"But it is great for him because strikers also enjoy scoring. His defensive work was outstanding. That really helps us and sets the platform.

"Nir has been great for me. I thought he would be important because they are a big physical team and he has that ability to dominate the space around him.

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"He did really well. He broke lines and ran with the ball when he needed to."

The win means that Celtic have regained their three-point lead in the Scottish Premiership over rivals Rangers.

Callum McGregor missed a penalty before the opener, but that didn't inhibit the attacking verve of their display.

"The players knew it was a challenge," Postecoglou added.

"They went about it the right way and didn't shy away from it.

"The boys who came in brought some energy with James, Tom Rogic, Nir and Tony Ralston.

"The guys have had three games in a week, so it was important for us to maintain our energy. We set the right tempo and intent from the first minutes.

(SNS Group)

"It is the reason we have a strong squad and why we brought players in during the January window. It gives us an opportunity to rotate it without losing anything from our performances.

"If we have the ability to change things during games it will help us.

"I know people have said we haven't been exhilarating in terms of our football every game but you cannot question their resilience.

"When we have had to find something we have found something. The fact we missed the penalty wasn't going to stop us continuing and trying to be relentless and playing our football."

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