Daizen Maeda reveals his madcap Celtic recovery plan as he tells Brendan Rodgers 'I want to play every game'

He's the one guy who looks like he NEVER needs a rest. Daizen Maeda is Celtic’s very own Japanese Duracell with his all-action, high-intensity displays every week.

And on Wednesday night in the Champions League, he once again provided the spark they needed to salvage a draw against Club Brugge and keep their Euro charge going. Maeda never stops. And he’s revealed that - even in his down time - he takes his daughter Soyo and son Tensei to a soft-play activity centre! But the 27-year-old Hoops wide man might need a break eventually. Brendan Rodgers’ side are now entering a critical part of the season with a punishing schedule ahead.

In the space of 11 days, Celtic face four matches which could go a long way to defining their campaign. In midweek, they face nearest challengers Aberdeen at Pittodrie, before a Premiership clash with Hibs at Parkhead. Next up, it’s Dinamo Zagreb away in the Champions League when Rodgers’ players will know a victory in Croatia could all but seal a play-off spot at least.

A few days after that Euro away test, they’ll be at Hampden for an Old Firm Premier Sports Cup Final against Rangers aiming to secure the first piece of silverware in their quest for a domestic Treble. Maeda’s game is all about energy and the Japan international is adamant he DOESN’T want to be left out of his manager’s line-up.

But with squad players like James Forrest, Yang, Luis Palma, Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah all itching to play - he expects Rodgers to rotate. And Maeda says it’ll be over the next few weeks when everyone sees Celtic’s true strength in depth.

He’s convinced the fringe men will come to the fore and really prove their worth as the champions begin to motor over the festive period. Maeda