Celtic forward Daizen Maeda on how a pacy pairing with Kyogo can wreak havoc on Scottish Premiership

Postecoglou’s preferred system to date at Celtic has deployed a lone frontman with support from the wings and the number 10 position, where he has often dovetailed both David Turnbull and Tom Rogic.

Maeda has made it clear that he has no problem whatsoever in contributing to that attack from the left if that is what his manager prefers, but he hopes that he might get the opportunity to show his electrifying pace through the middle alongside his compatriot.

“I don’t yet know the plan of the manager, but if we are asked to play together then we would be very strong,” Maeda said.

“I think it is an option. But let’s see how it works. I do not make those decisions.

“I have been playing for a long time as a centre forward. In Marinos, my former club, I sometimes played as a left winger. I am happy playing in either position.

“It is a decision for the manager and coaches. I will do my job wherever they want me to do it. I will always give my best.

“The first thing I bring to the team is speed. When I am behind the opposition defence, I try to be the first defender for my team.

“I want to create and score goals. These are the things I’m looking forward to showing to the Celtic fans. I will give them and the team everything.”

For all that Maeda is looking forward to teaming up with Kyogo, and that they share some similar attributes, he is very much keen to make his own name at Celtic.

That has been the pattern of his career so far, with the 24-year-old’s individuality expressed as he decided to accept his award for finishing last season as the J-League’s top scorer in full national dress, kimono and all.

“I don’t want to be the same as others,” he said. “I want to be unique. I want to be centre of attention. This is why I chose that costume on that occasion. It felt right.

“I really want to score a lot of goals at Celtic and to be a real star here too.”

Maeda’s hopes of making a quick impression are helped by the advantage he has of playing under new manager Postecoglou before at Yokohama F. Marinos, meaning he will not have the same period of adjustment to the Australian’s intense style as other players may have.

“The style of football was aggressive and intense,” he said. “We all enjoyed playing that way.

“It’s one of the reasons why moving to Celtic was such an easy decision for me as I know the manager’s style so well

“Coming here to Celtic, I’ve seen already the videos of how we are going to play. The training sessions are pretty similar to the ones at Marinos and how we play will be close to that too. This is all good for me.

“The manager has got the best out of me in the past. I hope he will do so again.”

Maeda is also in fine fettle physically, with his last game only on December 4th, in the final match of the J-League season.

There has been much talk of protecting Kyogo from burn-out since his arrival precisely because of the fact he hadn’t had a break before arriving in Glasgow, but Maeda doesn’t think that will be an issue for him.

“I feel good physically as the league in Japan hasn’t long finished,” he said. “So my condition is good. I feel that I can move my body well.

“I do feel a little bit of tiredness but I don’t want to make excuses. I’m just concentrating on my training. I want to play and help the team to get good results.”

Another concern when any player from the Far East makes the move to Europe is how they will adapt to the culture and life away from the pitch, but having already sampled life on this side of the world with a brief loan spell with Maritimo, he doesn’t foresee any problems in settling in.

In fact, he is already taking to life in Glasgow quite nicely, and is relishing the chance to prove himself here once more.

“After playing in Portugal with Maritimo my preference was to stay in Europe as I enjoyed it,” he said.

“But fortunately Marinos offered me the chance to return to the J-League and I felt it was the right move at that time. I felt I could help them and improve so that’s why I decided to go there.

“But after a while, once against I began to think about returning to Europe. It was a question of waiting on the right opportunity to come along.

“Fortunately the manager called me and gave me that opportunity. Celtic is the perfect club for me at this time. It already feels right.

“I’m settling in very well to the city and the club. But I have to adapt quickly and settle down well. Already I’m very happy.”