Brendan Rodgers thinks Daizen Maeda has Celtic transfer suitors from bigger clubs as he raves about his 'symbol'

Brendan Rodgers admits bigger clubs are bound to have an eye on Daizen Maeda after the Celtic striker hit the 25 goal mark in a 5-1 thumping of Aberdeen.

The Hoops boss hailed the Japan international who he insists symbolises everything his Celtic side is about as they soared 16 points ahead of Rangers with just 10 games remaining. Maeda’s brace bookended a thrashing of Jimmy Thelin’s side with Jota, Callum McGregor and Hyunjun Yang also chipping in for the champions.

It was a strong response to Saturday’s shock defeat against Hibs at Easter Road and Celtic have now struck 82 goals in 28 league outings. And Maeda, restored to the central position in the front three, led the way as he netted in the 24th and 92nd minutes to make it 12 goals in his last 11 games across all competitions. His haul includes four goals in the Champions League.

And asked if he reckons the 27-year-old will be on the radar for bigger clubs, Rodgers said: “Yes, I would think he would. I think a number of the players will because of their efficiency and their work. And not only that, they've done it at the highest level.

“If you're doing it at a Champions League level, you're showing that you can do it at that and on that stage. So, yes, I think if you're scoring goals like he has, work as hard as he does, then of course that will always bring attention.

“But I also think the team and the structure of the team really promotes his qualities. He’s a great symbol for our team and the collective. What I asked of him in terms of the pressing, and I've said before, he's the highest level of that and just the intensity that he presses.

“And then I believe he can score in whatever position he plays along the front line. You've seen him score goals from the