Brendan Rodgers questions whether there is a better pressing forward than Daizen Maeda

The Japanese international brings a unique combination of qualities to the Celtic team, including an uncommon pressuring style.

Tracking back appears to be an outstanding strength; if a full-back advances, they can be confident that Maeda is tracking them down, potentially arriving on the scene at the same time as Greg Taylor.

Most managers would accept it every now and then, but Maeda is fit enough to do it on a regular basis, putting in comparable runs in the last 10 minutes as the first.

His game has shortcomings; he can often snatch at opportunities, but this is more than compensated for by application and effort, and his goal against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday demonstrated remarkable calmness in a high-pressure situation.

Maeda, who is already in his third Champions League season, undoubtedly contributes a unique skill set to the Celtic team.

QUESTION: I’m not sure whether you noticed Joe Hart’s analysis, but he was highlighting Daizen Maeda’s importance in the team’s intensity. How significant is he in terms of establishing the tone? He was tracking back and searching down the ball, and the players were following him.

BR: That’s where the game begins. I noticed news about the team doing well and keeping clean sheets, particularly the goalkeeper and the back four. It starts at the front, and what we’re witnessing is that when those guys at the top of the pitch see it, they leave.

That is our trigger and reference to go. I doubt there is anyone better in world football than Maeda at doing so in context. I viewed a picture of the game, and this is towards the conclusion of the game, and he is making a recovery run into the left-back position, tracking their right-back, thinking the ball is going to come across, but the ball goes

Even if you can achieve it, it all depends on your skill level and drive, which most players lack. He could have easily dropped that press because he didn’t have to do it, but he went and realized he wasn’t getting there, and he actually got to the center-half before the guy who should have! It was fantastic. It was enormous pressure from him, but that is his mindset.

QUESTION: Given his level of intensity, should you treat him differently in terms of rest or anything like that?

BR: We need to treat all of the players and help them heal in different ways, but I have to keep in mind that Daizen plays international football and travels all over the world. These are the things that matter to you. We are also planning for the end of the season and ensuring that you conserve energy at the appropriate times. We, like every other player, pay great attention to what they eat, how they exercise and work, and whether they need to recover, start, or anything. All of this is part of our programme.

Celtic are representing Scottish football in the Champions League this season, and they did so admirably by defeating Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava 5-1 on Wednesday night

The overwhelming victory at Parkhead started with Liam Scales’ powerful header from Arne Engels’ corner, giving the reigning Scottish Premiership champions a half-time lead.

Rangers icon Ally McCoist provided commentary for TNT Sports’ coverage of Manchester City vs. Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium.

But it didn’t stop his colleague for the evening, Peter Schmeichel, father of Celtic goalie Kasper, from reminding the Rangers hero of the Glasgow result.

“I was genuinely pleased for the Glasgow team,” McCoist said with a chuckle when questioned about Celtic’s 1-0 lead at halftime.

“It looked offside from here, definitely,” he remarked sheepishly about Scales’ goal.

‘Madness’ – Pundit tears into ‘Crazy’ Rangers man over what he said after the loss to Celtic.

Andy Halliday has lambasted Rangers boss Philippe Clement for comments he made during the Gers’ defeat to Celtic at Parkhead

The Light Blues suffered defeat in the season’s first Old Firm rivalry on Sunday (1 September), when Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops won 3-0, leaving the Gers trailing in the Premiership title race.

Although Open Goal analyst Halliday believes the players let their manager down on the pitch, he says the Belgian’s decision to bring up the earlier win over Ross County after the game was “crazy”.

Speaking on the Open Goal YouTube channel (3 September, 28:43), he said: “What I think is insane is that he brought up the Ross County outcome after the game.

“Let us not forget that we achieved our best result in four years last week against Ross County. Bringing that up is ridiculous to me.”

Will Rangers sack Philippe Clement following their Old Firm loss to Celtic at Parkhead?

While large wins over Ross County may get fans out of their seats on the day, those are not the performances on which you will be evaluated as Rangers manager. Supporters want you to win those games consistently.

Where you make your money and get praise are clashes with Celtic and European matches, and so far, Clement has failed to deliver in either of those fixtures, with the exception of a few of strong Europa League results early in his tenure.

The Gers boss bringing up County’s thrashing after such a bad performance against their Glasgow rivals is not only odd, but also quite foolish, since he should have known that would not sit well with fans.

Comments like these will only put the pressure on the Belgian from fans and commentators in the coming weeks. Something has to change quickly for him to gain the supporters’ support and demonstrate that he is the man to bring a title back to Ibrox.

In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has delivered a new Clement sack verdict and informed the Gers that one call has “massively backfired”

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