Celtic have experienced a thrilling Champions League campaign this season under Brendan Rodgers.
The journey began in spectacular fashion as Rodgers’ side dismantled Slovan Bratislava 5-1 at Parkhead. However, their momentum was halted by a crushing 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, last season’s finalists, in a humbling lesson for the Bhoys.
Celtic rebounded impressively with a hard-fought draw against Atalanta in Bergamo before delivering a commanding performance in a victory over RB Leipzig at Celtic Park.
A memorable moment came during the draw with Club Brugge, where Japanese winger Daizen Maeda witnessed something unprecedented in his time at Celtic.
Maeda Awed by Team Unity Against Club Brugge
Celtic fans may recall Cameron Carter-Vickers’ unfortunate own goal in the match, which earned Brugge a point. However, it was the team’s reaction to that moment that left Maeda amazed.
Speaking to The Herald (print edition, page 70), Maeda said, “Since I’ve been here, we’ve never had a huddle like the one after the goal. It showed our discipline and how much we wanted to win the game. It was a powerful gesture in a tough moment.
“What happened wasn’t solely his [Carter-Vickers’] fault—it was a team issue, and we all share the responsibility. He’s been a leader for us and will continue to be one.”
Maeda’s Champions League Contributions
Under Brendan Rodgers, Maeda has flourished this season, registering ten goals and four assists. In the Champions League, he’s drawn comparisons to Celtic great Moussa Dembele, with three goals that have cemented his status as a key player.
Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava: Maeda scored Celtic’s fourth goal, restoring their dominance after the Slovakians pulled one back.
Borussia Dortmund 7-1 Celtic: The winger provided a glimmer of hope with an equaliser shortly after Dortmund took the lead, though the match ultimately got away from Celtic.
Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge: Maeda delivered a stunning equaliser that could rival Europe’s best.
Beyond his goals, Maeda’s relentless pressing was pivotal in the win over RB Leipzig, forcing errors that led to Nicolas Kuhn’s second goal for Celtic.
Daizen Maeda has firmly established himself as one of Celtic’s most vital players, earning hero status among the fans for his performances and leadership in this Champions League campaign.
