Paul Lambert has been really impressed with the work rate of Celtic winger Daizen Maeda.
One of the players Lambert wanted to highlight was 24-year-old Maeda.
The Japanese international was making his first ever Champions League start since arriving from Yokohama F. Marinos.
Maeda couldn’t prevent Celtic falling to a 3-1 defeat that puts their Champions League campaign in serious doubt.
Maeda has brought off after 75 minutes, but didn’t have the best match.
He failed to have a single shot, and only managed one dribble which was unsuccessful.
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Maeda only managed eight passes in a fast-paced game that was ultimately controlled by the German side.
Lambert impressed with Maeda’s work-rate
Lambert addressed Maeda’s impressive work-rate in the build-up to the match.
“I don’t think he’s (Madea’s) technically brilliant, but what you do get is so much energy and running and he goes and he goes and he goes.” Lambert said.
“That’s testament to himself and the team, because sometimes trying to get people to run is difficult.
“The three of them lads (Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Maeda) they got from Japan have been a revelation for them.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has plenty of wide options to choose from.
The Japanese winger has been rotated with Jota, Liel Abada, James Forrest and Sead Haksabanovic.
Maeda’s work-rate has been identified before, with Chris Sutton also impressed.
However, despite Lambert’s questions over Maeda’s technical ability, he does contribute to plenty of goals in the league.
This season he’s already laid on four assists in eight league games, and only Jota has played more minutes than him out of Celtic’s wingers.
Maeda’s output needs to be translated into goals in the Champions League if Celtic are to avoid being eliminated.