Former Celtic forward Simon Donnelly believes Daizen Maeda has now surpassed Kyogo Furuhashi in terms of the legacy he will leave at the club.
It is widely expected that today’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline will be Maeda’s last game for the club before he moves on in the summer.
The Japanese international joined Celtic back in 2022, just a few months after Kyogo had helped kickstart the Parkhead revolution under Ange Postecoglou.
Named PFA Scotland Player of the Year last season, Maeda has since gone on to score 78 goals in 211 matches for the club, as well as winning nine major honours thus far.
Kyogo netted 85 goals in 165 games prior to leaving Celtic 18 months ago, but Donnelly insists Maeda has now moved ahead of his countryman.
After scoring the late goal to help clinch the league title against Hearts last weekend, Donnelly feels Maeda’s legacy would be secure if he does indeed depart after today’s Hampden finale.
Daizen Maeda celebrates Celtic’s final-day title triumph after their dramatic defeat of Hearts
‘From the minute Maeda walked into the club, his contribution has been nothing but sensational,’ said Donnelly.
‘He has fallen under some criticism this season but he finished the season strongly. You could see his emotions when his goal went to VAR against Hearts last weekend.
‘The emotion he showed was maybe because it was his last game at Celtic Park. Time will tell but you can’t question his contribution.
‘He surpasses what Kyogo contributed. Last season, winning the Player of the Year award and scoring so many goals, was great.
‘I’ve always said, when I’ve covered the games, I would love to have played with him as a team-mate but I’d have hated to play against him. He is relentless.
‘Anybody who has worked with him would say he’s a great team player.
‘After 94 minutes against Hearts, he was down trying to win things back at 2-1.
‘He was trying to defend a lead. He’s been a pretty special player for Celtic.’
Despite a season which has been pockmarked by off-field chaos and acrimony among supporters, Celtic could yet clinch a double.
Martin O’Neill will lead them into today’s final against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in what could also be an emotional farewell.
Kyogo Furuhashi was regarded by many as Celtic’s finest striker since Henrik Larsson
Simon Donnelly has confidence Maeda can sign off from his Celtic career in style at Hampden
Donnelly insists there is no chance that Celtic will take anything for granted despite being heavy favourites.
‘I’ve been saying for long enough, maybe through green-tinted specs, that I thought the double was still there for Celtic to go and take,’ he said. ‘Even though at times this season it hasn’t looked the case.
‘They are sitting on yet another chance of a double. Dunfermline are in front of them with Neil, who’s had a good season. Taking them to the final has been no mean feat.
‘I remember playing Raith Rovers in a cup final in 1994 (Celtic lost out on penalties after a 2-2 draw), so you never take anything for granted. I don’t think Celtic will.
‘I just feel the release of winning the league and getting that out the way will be a huge plus for Celtic on Saturday.
‘I don’t know how to reflect on this season. If you’d told me that Martin O’Neill would lift the championship, I would have thought there was something wrong with you. It’s been a crazy season.’
