Daizen Maeda's incredible Celtic work rate has been captured in a stunning Champions League clip.
The Japanese winger, 26, was on the scoresheet in the heavy 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava but earned more plaudits for his relentless pressing throughout.
Maeda netted Celtic's fourth of the evening as he stroked into the bottom corner. However, former team-mate Joe Hart was even more impressed by his tracking back when the game was hanging in the balance.
I’m convinced Daizen Maeda is from another planet. pic.twitter.com/6Wv3RS5a3G
— Swed (@Swedleypops) September 19, 2024
On BBC Match of the Day, Hart showered Maeda with praise for his ridiculous running efforts as he highlighted his impact in "setting the tone" for Celtic.
On two separate occasions, Maeda sprinted back from within the Slovan Bratislava box to help win the ball back near the halfway line.
In the first clip, Maeda tracks an opponent from around 12 yards out before putting in a strong fair challenge to reclaim possession just inside the Slovan half.
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A second clip shows Maeda again putting in effort to get back from the penalty spot to pressure an opponent allowing Arne Engels to make a tackle to win the ball back.
Hart said of the staggering clips: "Maeda setting the tone, look at this...
"Have they got a chance on the counter-attack? No, Engels big tackle and Maeda never giving up.
"He just set the tone."
The clip has since been shared on social media with Celtic supporters stunned by the winger's remarkable fitness levels.
One user wrote: "I’m convinced Daizen Maeda is from another planet."
Another commented: "He doesn't seem to need any recovery time. He sprints 30-40 yards wins the ball back and then is off up the wing at the same pace. Absolutely mental levels of fitness."
