NafisaDaizen Maeda set for EMOTIONAL Celtic Park return as former Hoops star finally gets the farewell he deserved before Rangers clash
There will be a moment at Celtic Park on Sunday that has nothing to do with tactics, formations or the result.
Just ten minutes before Celtic and Rangers begin another hugely anticipated Glasgow Derby, the attention inside the stadium will briefly turn towards a player who has already written his name into the club’s recent history.
After four and a half years in Glasgow, Daizen Maeda is finally getting the Celtic Park farewell he never had.
The Japanese international left Celtic during the summer to join Ipswich Town, but his departure happened without the opportunity to properly acknowledge the supporters who had backed him throughout his time at the club.
That will change on Sunday.
Celtic confirmed on Saturday evening that Maeda will return to the pitch shortly before kick-off, with the former Hoops favourite personally asking the club for the opportunity to thank supporters for the support shown to him and his family during his time in Glasgow.
And there could hardly be a more appropriate occasion.
Because the last time Maeda was inside Celtic Park for a game against Rangers, he produced one of the moments that perfectly captured what he brought to Celtic.
Maeda returns to the scene of one of his biggest moments
The circumstances were already enormous.
Celtic were chasing the title and needed something special during the closing stages of the campaign.
Then Maeda stepped forward.
The Japanese forward produced that now-famous free-kick against Rangers, giving Celtic a moment of inspiration when they desperately needed one.
That result helped set up the final-day title decider against Hearts.
And Maeda was there again.
He found the net against Hearts as Celtic completed a dramatic title triumph, providing another fitting ending to a campaign in which his importance to the team had become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Those final weeks perhaps summed up Maeda better than any statistic could.
When Celtic needed him, he delivered.
And that is exactly why his return on Sunday should carry so much emotion.
The numbers behind Maeda’s Celtic legacy
Maeda leaves Celtic with an impressive record.
Across four and a half years, he made 212 appearances and scored 79 goals for the club.
Celtic also credit him with winning 10 trophies during his time in Glasgow, including five Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
But statistics only tell part of the story.
Maeda became synonymous with an extraordinary level of work rate.
His relentless pressing, constant running and refusal to give up on seemingly lost causes made him a particularly memorable figure for Celtic supporters.
There was an infectious quality to the way he played.
Even when a move appeared to have broken down, Maeda would continue chasing.
Even when Celtic were under pressure, he could turn one loose ball into an opportunity.
And when the biggest moments arrived, he repeatedly found ways to make himself important.
His 2024/25 campaign was arguably the clearest demonstration of that influence.
Maeda collected Celtic’s Player of the Year award, while also being recognised as both the SPFL and PFA Scotland Player of the Year.
It was quite the way to underline his importance before eventually leaving Glasgow.
Celtic Park finally gets to say goodbye
The one thing missing from Maeda’s Celtic story was a proper goodbye.
His summer move to Ipswich meant he left without the kind of farewell that would normally accompany a player who had contributed so much to the club.
That will finally be corrected on Sunday.
Maeda will step onto the Celtic Park pitch ten minutes before kick-off, giving supporters the opportunity to show their appreciation before the attention switches to another massive Old Firm encounter.
And the timing could hardly be more significant.
Celtic have endured a bruising week, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Rangers before losing 3-1 at home to Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
Martin O’Neill’s side now have the opportunity to respond against the same Rangers team that inflicted the first of those defeats.
But before the pressure of the derby takes over, Celtic Park will belong to Maeda.
For supporters, it will be a chance to remember everything he gave the club.
For Maeda, it will finally be the opportunity he wanted — to stand in front of the Celtic support and say thank you.
And after everything the Japanese star delivered during his four and a half years in Glasgow, there is little doubt that Celtic Park will have plenty to say back.
The former Hoops star left without his farewell.
On Sunday, he gets the goodbye he deserved.
Nafisa
