DAIZEN MAEDA preferred watching baseball to the Champions League as he grew up in Japan.
Now he can’t wait to fight for the first time in Europe’s biggest football competition.
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Circuits of a different kind on the flanks of Parkhead saw the versatile Celtic striker become a fan favorite last season.
But Maeda is not someone who is obsessed with the game he is playing.
That’s why as a kid in Osaka, he used to watch Hanshin Tigers, rather than watching a football game he didn’t care about.
And the 24-year-old believes disconnecting from the game he’s playing helps him light up when he steps out on the pitch.
Maeda said: “I never watched the Champions League in Japan because I don’t watch football on TV.
“I only watch baseball on TV. Why don’t I watch football?
“Because I don’t want to think about football on my days off.
“So I like to shut down and shut everything down. I think it’s very important to have a different outlet.
“I have a favorite baseball team. As I come from Osaka, Hanshin Tigers is the team I support.
“I played when I was younger, but I liked playing football more, that’s why I went down this path.
“What was I good at when I was playing baseball? Defense! »
As a footballer it’s a different story, however, with Maeda becoming a key man under Ange Postecoglou thanks to his energy-sapping forward changes.
His loan move to the Celts in January meant the Japanese ace had played the best part of 15 months without a break by the time the Hoops were crowned champions in May.
He then took part in vital matches for his country which lasted until the middle of last month.
Meanwhile, Maeda was also set to convert his transfer from Yokohama F. Marinos into a four-year contract at the Hoops.
But after taking a 45-minute second-half break in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn, he insists the fortnight he’s had was enough to recharge the batteries.
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Now he feels refreshed and ready to go again.
Maeda said: “Pre-season has been normal, very hard work as always.
“Last year I had a long season. After the Premiership ended with Celtic, I had international games to attend.
“I then had two weeks off and came back here. I try to work gradually, but also hard to make sure I’m ready.
“I’m taking my time because my peak condition will be ready for the start of the season.
“So I work with my tempo and my rhythm to prepare myself.
“It’s not just the Champions League that I’m looking forward to in the new season.
“I’m really excited to play in the domestic league and the cups too. I look forward to the whole season and it starts again.
Alongside Postecoglou last season, Jota and Maeda were a formidable force down the flanks for the Hoops.
The Japanese star is happy to see the Portuguese on the other side of the park next season, with the pair getting the best of each other.
Maeda added: “Every time I make a forward run, I know I will receive good passes. I really believe in my teammates and I would like to score more goals.
“Do I think understanding will improve? Well, over the last season, I felt that I had built good relationships with all my teammates, especially the attacking players.
“There are still several games left before the start of the new season, so hopefully we can improve even more when competitive football starts again. »
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